If there's something any of you find you have a problem with or need explaining, please feel free to let me know. Despite that, I'm happy to know people are reading and I always finish what I start.

Also, thanks to those who have reviewed so far. My heart lights up every time I read one.

Chapter 3: Final Farewell

"Wow. Remember when I used to be fun?" Yakko suddenly mused as Dot fixed his tie. He had suddenly found himself staring off into the past like an old geezer.

"You are when you want to be sometimes… a little." Dot spoke, trying to keep his morale up.

He couldn't find an accurate enough retort to that. Yakko grinned slightly and shook his head. "Oh woe is me. I've been so concerned with the harshness plaguing our lives that I forgot to bring the funny. It must be in my other pants pocket."

"It's not like if you don't crack joke after joke at the party today, they'll hang you from the ceiling and beat the boring out of you with a stick. You have every right to be as composed as you are nowadays." Dot had finished with his tie and was straightening out her own dress.

"Yeah I guess…" Yakko stared at the wall to his side for a few seconds and blinked. "… Is Mr. Packs-Away-the-Snacks gonna be there?" Yakko asked, not trying to sound too condescending in all honesty.

Dot sighed and looked up at him. "You mean Wakko? Yeah. He said he doesn't want to miss this. I doubt he, of all people, would miss it for the world."

"That's good. If anything, his heart is always in the right place." Yakko said with a genuine smile. He was still hurting from what his younger brother had said before. He wasn't too sure what to make of his efforts or of himself as of right now but the show must go on. He'd make sure that it did too. There wasn't a cause for giving up until there was literally nothing left for him to do.

"All our hearts are in the right place Yakko." Dot responded to him with a bit of a curtsy.

"And I thank you for that. All we need to figure out is how to get that spare stomach out of his body and we're good to go." Yakko trotted toward the door while Dot giggled lightly. As of now, he was wearing a rather fresh and sharp looking tuxedo. It would've been criminal to suggest that he could've afforded it while all their money troubles were going on so thank goodness for the good times before.

Yakko opened the door to the water tower and let the fresh air into his lungs. He breathed it all in dramatically, as if he hadn't tasted clean, open air for months. He had to admit, it keeps getting really stuffy in there to him. He wasn't sure why though. Whenever he asked his siblings about it they usually answered with an "It feels okay" or a "You smell like phlegm".

Dot headed outside and stood beside him, starring over the lot with him. They could almost taste the nostalgia at the tip of their tongues. It hadn't even been that long and yet it felt like a million years since this whole thing started.

60 years ago, after being born from a nameless mother and father and stuck in an orphanage, they had found this bouncy studio in its early stages. It was full of up and coming toons ready to make their mark on history. The three of them were a part of that crowd and boy were they the zaniest. They caused the most problems and were touted as insane to the extreme. Always laughing and always having fun, they were ready to make it big.

And then they were locked in the tower. Okay…

Not exactly the big break they were looking for.

Thank goodness for everyone here though. Animaniacs, despite some of the restrictions it put on them, had been the most fun they'd ever had in their lives, and boy, did they hope for more of the same now that it was time to move on.

"That's right. I've got an appointment with Scratchy today." Yakko suddenly blurted out.

"Oh really? Right before the party starts tonight?" Dot asked, a bit confused.

"It's not too far off, I know. It's gonna start the instant I finish up with him." Yakko yawned and stretched his body out. It had been a day since his and Wakko's little spat. Wakko hadn't really… talked all that much afterwards. He barely hung around the Tower either. What he was out doing, Yakko didn't know. He'd always come back home looking and acting the same way as he left so no problem there.

At first he had figured that Wakko might've been up to his mischief again but that idea was nixed after Wakko felt the need to make it clear to Yakko that he was officially done with doing so. Yakko didn't know what had caused that or if the fight between them was somehow enlightening but in the end it made things easier, so why not go with it?

The two of them made it down the ladder and walked across the lot, admiring the sights they had already seen over a dozen times, before catching wind of someone's singing.

Rather beautiful singing. Definitely.

"Let's try for two-oo~!

What's the sense in stopping now?

Just me and you-uu~!

We're the pros with the know-how-

To get kicked out of every place, we've ever set a paw!

We know it too~oo! Let's try for two!"

"Rita!" Yakko shouted after the singing cat.

"Yakko." Rita smirked and turned to face him upon recognizing the voice instantaneously.

"Yup. Yakko. That's definitely Him." Runt chimed after her with his tongue out. Both Yakko and Dot approached the two of them in front of one of the studio's numbered garages.

"That singing of yours always puts a smile on my face. I wish I had a CD of it lying around so that I could listen for as long as I could." The older Warner complimented.

"Aww. Thank you. I always loved that thing you and your brother do with those large mallets." Rita remarked. "And hey, if everything goes as well as it has been, the reality of having Albums put out of my music may not be too far ahead into the future."

"Whoa! Really?" Dot clapped her hands together and said excitedly. Yakko was a tad in shock.

"Oh yeah. Rita got one of them big cracks!" Runt tried to explain.

"Big breaks. I've got a big break." Rita corrected.

Runt nodded. "Yup. A real important looking guy in a suit came to her after our last short on the show. She's been doin' lots of singing; beautiful, beautiful singing. OH! And now, she's going on Broadway! Yup, definitely, definitely Broadway."

Broadway? Yakko and Dot looked stunned. Yakko in particular felt as if he literally couldn't believe it. That bright smile Rita had on her face was enough to convince him though. He felt bad for feeling a twinge of jealousy but it wasn't compared to how big his happiness was for the two of them. They were on their way to something quite better than the streets the two of them had grown up in.

"I… can't think of any satisfying way to say that I'm happy for you guys. I mean, WOW! That's just… incredible! Your singing has always been at that quality but-" Yakko started.

"It's like a dream come true!" Dot sighed with a dreamy smile on her face. She was probably imagining all the hot guys she could meet where Rita and Runt were going.

"Yes. The best part is that Runt is someone I can bounce off of well whenever they need someone to back me up whether it be stage production, preparation, or even back-up singing. It happened once or twice on the show and he's gotten better at it." Rita went up to Runt and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Aww. Thanks Rita. That's real sweet." Runt responded with a beam of delight.

"Awesome you guys. Really. Pretty soon you'll be firing your agent over that spec of dirt you found in your glass of water." Yakko grinned.

"Maybe. Nah, not really." Rita waved the thought off before looking at how sharply Yakko and Dot were dressed. "Ready for the party tonight I see. So, what have you two got planned after this finalization?"

Yakko and Dot stood there and starred for about 3 to 4 seconds before Yakko scratched the back of his neck and looked to the side in slight embarrassment. What could he tell a person like her who was well on her way to becoming a super star?

"Well, next on my to-do list is… more breathing and… more eating… and sleeping sounds nice… " Yakko droned on which made Rita and Dot share an uncomfortable glance.

"Oh boy! You and I have the same agenda!" Runt almost shouted with excitement. Rita would've laughed but for some reason, the urge to didn't come forth.

"You're way too talented not to have an answer for me Yakko." Rita spoke, sternly.

"… Y-Yeah. Yeah, I know…" Yakko couldn't deny that he was talented. "It's just… it's just the three of us… and our resources have been harder and harder to come by and prioritize… It's a bit of a mess right now, honestly." He tried to make it clear without sounded too helpless.

Rita looked straight at him. She seemed to be examining his features for a bit.

"… The talent scout who picked me up will be there too. Runt invited him and Plotz said he was okay with it despite it being more of a staff and crew thing. I have a bit where I'm to sing songs from the show and I'd love to have the person who sung the most on the show join me. It'd be fun." Rita eyed Yakko's face and loved the change in expression.

Yakko was smiling now. "Y-You mean it? Th-That'd be great! I'd love to!"

"I would as well. I'm sure my guy would love you ya know, especially after I put a good word in. Runt's signing on happened because of my heartfelt recommendation and a given chance to show his stuff as well. It'll be a blast." Rita was offhandedly offering something that Yakko had been trying to search for on his own for who knows how long. It was a chance at salvation.

How good would it be, just to get his name out there? And a chance to show what he had was…

"Thank you Rita. Thanks so much. With every fiber of my being, I thank you." Yakko said, bowing jokingly but meaning every word he had said.

"It's no problem. Really it isn't. I only wish I had known about whatever situation you were in sooner." Rita said quietly and motioned for Runt to follow her as she walked away. The practice singing had just about ended when Yakko and Dot had come along. "Confide in your friends a bit more. There's no shame in asking for help."

Those were the words she left him with as they scampered off. Yakko watched her go, now feeling really happy and slightly ashamed. First there was Skippy's selfless act and now this. Come to think of it, Plotz had been uncharacteristically lenient on him ever since this whole mess started too. His friends and co-workers were all extremely willing to help and he had subconsciously avoided it and neglected to tell anyone just exactly how deep in the rut they were because of his own pride. At least, he thought it was his pride. He couldn't just be stupid.

"This sounds wonderful! You've always been a great singer!" Dot sounded really bubbly. It was cute seeing that side to her again.

"Haven't I? Ah, but Broadway? Would my audience be able to withstand my radiant beams of awesomeness?" Yakko pretended to act serious.

"They'd die of annoyance first." Dot had he hands on her hips. Yakko eye-balled her before he broke out into a chuckle. It felt good feeling up to laughing again. It went away quickly when the chuckle turned into a cough though. Dot didn't say anything about it, deciding to let it pass without comment this time.

When Yakko stopped he cleared his throat and looked to the side building where Dr. Scratchnsniff's office was. It was about that time.

"Alright. I think I'm gonna-Whoa…" Yakko grabbed his head. His eyes rolled around a bit in their sockets and he felt himself stumble a tiny bit. Dot made a motion to help him steady himself but Yakko ended up shaking his head and fixing his posture on his own.

"Are you alright?" The younger sibling asked quickly.

"Yes. I was just saying I'm gonna head on over to Scratchy's…" Yakko let that be it for the talking and quickly walked off, making sure to stay focused ahead and not look back at the concern on Dot's face. He had suddenly gotten a slight dizzy spell. His eyes had started rolling and his vision had blurred out of the blue.

Stranger still, it went away quickly. He didn't like not knowing why it always did that.

Dr. Otto Scratchnsniff was the best around. That's why Thaddeus Plotz hired the guy. There was no situation that involved the potential dive into the mind that he couldn't fix.

Then he met the Warners. Later he lost his hair.

Uncontrollable, always joking, always playing, always irritable and just as insane was what they were. They always made a mess! They always wasted his time! They always drove everyone bonkers! It would never stop! He wanted it to stop!

And then it did.

Yakko sat across from him, lightly swinging his legs up and down like the confused and shaken child he was, not saying anything. He wasn't doing anything. He wasn't driving the doctor mad like he and the other two had always done before. Scratchnsniff couldn't believe how sad he thought that was. He wanted the old days back. He really did think it was better to be driven up the wall than to see such previously happy kids indulge in so much sadness.

Yakko had told him everything that he had felt like getting out to the doctor today. Scratchnsniff wished he had been more surprised by Wakko and Yakko's fight but he wasn't. With everything that Yakko had already said to him, he figured it would've been eminent.

"As of right now… how are you feeling?" Dr. Scratchnsniff asked, leaning a bit over his notepad.

Yakko blinked and let out a huff of air before looking straight up.

"Like a… melting marshmallow?"

Okay. What did that mean?

"Could you… maybe explain a bit more?" The doctor tried again. This got Yakko to sit back up straight again.

"Honestly, doc, I've got nothing. My head hurts real bad and I've got all these emotion-thingies swirling in my head. I'm not exactly sure what I'm feeling at this very moment, but I know that it doesn't feel good. Even after what Rita and Runt did for me today I just…" Yakko trailed off while looking down diagonally.

Scratchnsniff raised an eyebrow. He waited a few seconds before speaking up. "Yes?"

"… Give it to me straight." Yakko began, leaning the doctor's way. Scratchnsniff didn't say anything yet. "What do you think is going to happen to the three of us in the future?"

Dr. Scratchnsniff wasn't too terribly taken aback by the question. He did have to sit back and think for a while though. It was as deep a hole as you could dig for yourself out in show biz. He often mulled over the idea of anyone here being able to take them in. Of course, every person that came to mind, including himself, he knew wouldn't be able to.

He watched Yakko's face as it stayed in that sad and sullen expression the entire time he thought it over. In the end, his brilliant mind could only fathom a single response. It was one he knew Yakko wouldn't accept.

"No one can say for sure. There doesn't exist anyone who can see into the future."

At least it was the truth.

Night fell. The scenery was brighter than ever in one particular building at the studio. The festivities were high as were the spirits of the party goers. Even so, underneath it all, it'd be hard to deny that lingering feeling of sadness that encompassed them all. It felt good though. It was just another feeling to express their love for this passing point in each of their lives.

"Here we are. The final farewell to all those who had a part in the celebrated hit show, Animaniacs. We remember how insanity dominated the television screen and left a place in the wacky and crazy den of our hearts. It'll live on, even as the show's official end comes today with this party's declaration of departure. Here's to moving on to bigger and better things and a happy successful future."

"Okay, I luv you, buh-bye!" Mindy shouted and waved as the old guy finished his speech on the stage. Everyone at the party tables in front of him burst out laughing at this. Even Buttons managed a bright grin. The person reading off of the paper couldn't help but smile as he left the podium too. He honestly couldn't wait to see what she'd make of herself after this.

The place they had set this up in was usually used for the BINGO nights. It was re-done entirely for tonight's special event though. Tables were set up everywhere. Some were full of food and drinks, others had board games, and some still were left over for simple mingling and chatting between co-workers. Streamers were everywhere. Music flared nicely in the background so as to make sure you could still hear the people talking. Oh and the balloons! There were a lot of those too.

Dot looked around, currently sitting with Minerva Mink at her own table, and admired how wonderful it was that everyone that had gotten even the occasional side glance on the show was here. It really did make it all feel like a brilliant final farewell.

"-And he was incredibly hot. It's a shame I never got his number but whatever. The show must go on." Minerva had finished telling a story about some guy she had met on the set of one of her own cartoons. None of which he had a role in.

"Thanks for keeping it in your pants for the sake of all of us sweetie." Dot responded with a grin. "The set designing you do was always the best. I'm sorry your shorts on the show didn't amount to much."

Minerva smirked and looked to the side. "How harsh. They amounted to plenty. If you were a toon above the age of 18 I suppose." The two of them went into a fit of knowing laughter. A lot of people in the studio did like her few skits, but, Dot and surprisingly Minerva as well, weren't big fans of them.

Minerva turned her head when she heard Newt, a blue dog with a red nose that often worked with her on the show, had whistled for her to come over. Minerva stood up with a grin.

"Alright. It's time I scampered over to a more lively section of the party. See ya girlie." She waved Dot off and Dot waved back. When she was gone, Dot was alone again. It was just as well though. She could handle being with someone or being by herself the way she was feeling today. They were mixed feelings. Happiness and painful sorrow was what they were. She could see her co-workers just oozing the talent that they all had from when the show was on the air.

"Say something you stupid mime." Blurted out Katie-Kaboom.

The Mime made a confusing gesture with his hand that got her upset. She confused it for him flipping her off. An explosion happened soon after that sent him spiraling into Flavio the Hippo's back.

"Look Marita. A party favor." Flavio smiled as he ripped the flattened mime of his back and wore him around his neck like a towel.

"How nice of them. I must call the waiter over so I can give him a gracious tip." Marita said, ringing a small bell. The waiter came over, looking this way and that, as if he wasn't all too focused on them. He opened the tray he had with him to reveal two lab mice on a plate with apple slices in their mouth.

"My, my. He even brings us food without the need of acquiring his services." Flavio said graciously. The mouse with the bigger head spit out the accessory in his mouth and growled angrily.

"That's no waiter! HE is a giant chicken!" The Brain shouted and pointed accusingly.

Chicken Boo clucked and pecked at his waiter uniform.

"He is? That sounds delicious! Much more tastier than I thought we would be! NARF!" The skinny one, Pinky, stood up and clapped his hands while swallowing the apple slice whole.

Dot couldn't contain her laughter. It was as normal a setting as could be and yet they couldn't stop being so crazy. It was fantastic. She could only hope to find such wonderful people to work with once she and her brothers managed to get their act together.

If they managed it that is.

"Well, well. All by your lonesome? What's with that? As the main characters, I figured you and your brothers would be the stars of the show tonight."

Dot recognized the voice and spun her head around. A bright smile came to her face when she saw the gray squirrel, Aunt Slappy, and her nephew Skippy take two seats next to her. Skippy had even puffier cheeks than she was used to seeing which meant that he had stuffed a bunch of food into his mouth.

"You'd think so, eh Slappy? I'd have thought so too but hey, whatever happens happens." Dot said with her cheek in the palm of her hand.

"Amen. Or halleluiah. Whichever one you're supposed to say." Slappy flung several acorns into her mouth and chewed on them as if they were potato chips. "So where are your brothers anyway?"

"Yakko just left the table a while ago to go prepare for his duet with Rita. Wakko hasn't-…" Dot began before sighing. "… -Hasn't shown up yet."

Slappy starred at her for a bit before swallowing and grinning lightly.

"Don't sweat anything yet. I know that kid. He wouldn't miss a shin-dig as bumping as this for anything." Slappy sounded so confident. She always did. Dot wished she had that ability.

"Speak of the devil." Skippy choked out with his food between his teeth, looking straight ahead. Dot blinked and looked where he was looking. Her eyes widened slightly and a smile was all but plastered on her face.

There he was, Wakko Warner in a suit. He was even wearing pants today. Classy.

He was looking around, almost half-heartedly, probably feeling slightly embarrassed at how he hadn't yet located any of his siblings. It wasn't until he heard a distant "Over here" spring to his ears that he turned and met Dot's gaze. She had as wondeful a smile as one could have as she waved strongly at him.

Wakko managed a weak smile in direct contrast to her strong one and waved back before trotting lightly over to the table. He sat down next to his baby sister, leaving Slappy and Skippy to their own devices which as of now, consisted of pointing out which people were and weren't secretly gay. Slappy knew it all.

"I gotta admit; I was starting to think you wouldn't show." Dot smirked.

"Miss this? Please. Not even if I was dead. I'd kick Death's ass and claw my way to the surface if I had too." Wakko managed a grin. The comment made Dot giggle. Wakko was surprised he still had the ability to do that.

"Wow. Look at Pip talk. He just goes on and on and on and on-" Skippy watched Francis Pumphandle, most commonly known as Pip, talk up a storm to Colin, who was most commonly known as The Randy Beaman Kid. Colin wasn't annoyed though as he was also a talker. Not as long-winded as Pip though.

"Yeah, he sure has diarrhea of the mouth. Doubt all his knowledge will point me into the direction that leads to the secret behind that Water Tower though." Slappy remarked. She knew the two Warners were far off in their own conversation so she didn't worry about them overhearing anything right now.

"Did you find out anything new today Aunt Slappy?" Skippy asked. He sounded slightly on edge.

"Nah. Nothing Skippy. I've been looking into this, with Plotz' permission mind you, for years. Haven't found a darn thing that updates from what I already do know. An un-written rule among the higher ups says the thing is supposed to be left completely alone. Tremendous controversy resulted from the decision to lock the Warners up in that thing all those years ago too…" Slappy was speaking a tad quieter now that their names were dropped.

"No new developments at all? That's so strange. Do you at least know why no one's allowed to go near it?" Skippy asked hopefully.

"… Apparently, the last few people who did 60 years ago, all came back with the same illness." Slappy spoke up. "Insanity."

"I-Insanity?" Skippy's heart skipped a bit.

"Not the fun kind of insanity either… people were found all over the lot… be-headed…" Slappy mused.

"B-Be-headed? Like… being without a head?" Skippy gulped.

"Yeah. Like that…" Slappy sighed. "But what good is knowing that when I also know that the same thing doesn't happen today. You try approaching that tower today, you're totally fine when you step away. I just don't…" Slappy groaned and leaned forward on the table. She shifted her gaze to Wakko and Dot who had sparked up a rather fluent conversation. The situation with them was the strangest to her. They lived in that thing, even during the time when approaching it made you go coo-coo crazy in the head. Yet they were fine.

Well, Yakko had that odd sickness but…

"… I need more info. Adding up what I have isn't making this make more sense. It's a good thing that this party being an official farewell doesn't have to mean we all have to leave the studio immediately." Slappy assured. Skippy was finding this all very odd as well but there wasn't time to think about it.

Yakko was coming on soon.

"We're on in a few minutes. Nervous?" Rita asked Yakko as Runt used his mouth to spray cologne all over him.

"I've preformed before. I think I'll be okay." Yakko grinned as he looked out at the stage. Mr. Director was on, singing his very own classic.

"OH LADY!

I know a LADY!

With High-Heel shoes! And Socks and Pantie-Hoes!

OH PRETTY LADY~!"

"You suck!" Pesto shouted and chucked a baseball at his head. It hit dead on and made him topple over on the table below the stage. Squit chuckled and Bobby burst out laughing as could be heard from where Yakko was standing.

"If anything, I'll be better than that guy." Yakko grinned.

"As if that'd be hard. Let's go." Rita motioned for Yakko to follow her.

Out in the audience, Wakko was staring ahead for a bit, anxious to see his big brother on the stage again for some odd reason. Dot could pretty much sense how interested Wakko was in this development and it made her smile. Fight or no fight, in the end they were still brothers.

"Feel good sitting back and enjoying a performance of his again?" Dot asked. Wakko gave her a glance and looked on ahead once more.

"I dunno. I guess." Wakko really wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling. Dot recognized his usual sullen face and pulled back on the talking for now. She wore a sad smile but was content with the fact that Wakko had decided to stay and watch regardless.

The two performers in question got out on stage and bowed accordingly. Wakko sat with the rest of the crowd, looking on with a neutral expression the entire time. He watched and listened as they began to sing.

All of the songs they did were from the show, sung entirely straight. Some were exaggerated a bit to be a bit goofier, and some were done in a way that expressed a much more serious tone.

Wakko recognized all of them by name.

Somewhere is a place called home

A shortened version of Schnitzelbank

If I could have my Wish

Not in my Gay Paree

Even the Theme Song. And after that there was more still.

And than the finale hit.

Wakko looked toward the stage and watched the crowd enjoy the somber tone of a rather quiet and calming version of "Never give up hope" from the final movie they all did. It was revised a bit to make it fit more for just two people and made to sound more like a cover you did with a soft violin or piano. Even still, it worked just as well as the original did and was by far the best he had heard from them so far…

Dot looked around the room at everyone's faces. There wasn't a single person whose attention wasn't directed at the stage. They were all being taken in by their wonderful singing. Dot smiled lightly before turning back to her brother only to be taken aback in surprise.

Wakko was rubbing his eyes and crying softly onto the table. Here he was, surrounded by all the people that he loved for the last time, listening to a beautiful duet rendition of a song that he himself helped write and preform. It was so wonderful. It was so sad…

Dot's smile returned at seeing her brother like this and she put her hand on his shoulder, like she usually did for Yakko whenever he felt the emotion get to him.

"It's beautiful. Isn't it?" Dot asked in a rather silent and comforting voice.

Wakko sniffled and rubbed his eyes again. More tears spilled out after he did so. He managed a reply.

"Yeah… It is beautiful… those two work well together…"

The room filled up with applause once they had finished. While that went on, Dot was busy giving Wakko a tight hug, one which he had no problems returning.

"WHOO! I feel swell." Yakko mused as he stepped outside to where all the trash cans were located. He had walked a bit far but his spirits were high and the thoughts floating in his head were running wild. He almost let himself collapse over the cans before realizing that they were dirty and probably filled with garbage.

He instead turned to look straight up at the sky. The full moon shined down at his now lit up face. For some reason, despite this being the declaration of the end, he felt really happy. The faces of everyone who made that show of theirs come to life zipped through his head and made him chuckle.

He began drifting down memory lane but stopped once he saw three people approaching him from the fore-front. Upon recognizing them his smile faded, and a fake one replaced it just as quickly.

"Hey guys. How's it going?" Yakko asked the three teenagers as they made their way up to his smaller and younger figure.

They all wore black. The clothes all looked like they were torn in numerous places. The expressions they wore were friendly though.

"Yakko. Here you are. It took a while to find you. We came right after the party like we promised." The tallest one spoke, taking his hands out of his pockets.

That did little to ease Yakko's sudden tension. "Uh… look… guys… I'm sorry but I-"

The three of them sighed collectively. "Really man? Again?" The teen on the right spoke up.

"Sorry." Was all Yakko got out before the guy at the head spoke again.

"What're you planning to do?" He asked, while scratching at his hair.

"… If everything works out like I want it to…? … Broadway…" Yakko managed to say. It came out more as a joke than a serious consideration. It was pretty much confirmed as something akin to humor as the three of them let out a fit of laughter before calming themselves down forcefully.

"How you gonna get there? Ride in some sleazy old guy's back pocket?" The teen on the right said, still chuckling.

"It'll cost much more than I have right now, I know… but, I can make it work. All I need is the right talent scout and a manager or whoever. I might've even gotten lucky tonight. A little more hard work will pave the way." Yakko was trying hard to sound as believable as possible. Results spoke more than that though. He, more than anyone, would know that.

"You're probably planning on leaving everyone in debt before things are through." Finally spoke the teen on the left.

"I haven't forgotten your boss' kindness. How could I? I wholeheartedly plan on repaying him the money just as soon as I can work it all the way up. However, food, rent, and living expenses are making the process really slow." Yakko tried his hardest to explain in a way that would make them understand.

The three of them shared the same, unreadable look before facing Yakko again.

"Alright. If you can't meet the deadline than we can simply extend it. No harm will come to you." The teen at the head spoke with a grin. Yakko felt a breath he hadn't known he was holding in, escape from within.

The three immediately turned and left just as quickly as they came, and without another word too. Yakko was grateful for that at least.

Getting help from them that time ago was supposed to help his situation, not make it worse. Now he just had more people he owed money to. Yakko was in a particularly bad situation when he made the decision to visit the slums of Burbank, looking for absolutely anyone's help. He was desperate for any kind of help. All he needed was the money for a much more non-lenient deadline with the rent concerning their Water Tower. He hadn't told his siblings as a means to not worry them but he knew that if they were all kicked out, the truth would come out in a much more regretful way.

In the end, he did get the money. It was from a suspicious character in the back alleys of a smelly and run-down looking place but he got the money. Now he was in debt. He just needed to pay it all back. The boss didn't care how. They had even set up deadlines for him to hand over the money in smaller quantities so that he could realistically be expected to hand it over.

That still wasn't working though. Yakko had now just missed his third deadline. He didn't even have a penny to spare. This particular time had made him a bit anxious. He had never expected them to simply extend it as opposed to increase the amount he owed next time.

He was in a rut though. He knew that good fortune can only take pity on you for so long. He needed more money and he needed it quick.

"Great job out there Rita. Definitely, definitely, a great job." Runt congratulated the singing cat as she sat outside, taking a much deserved breather from being stuck in that party area. At this point in time, there was nobody left in the garage. Everyone who had wanted to had said their final goodbyes to whomever it was they wished to say it to and made their way home.

As far as Rita knew, she, Runt, and the janitors were the only ones left to hang around with. That notion was botched when she spotted Yakko running straight up to her in a slight panic. He looked terribly tired and worried.

"Whoa. What's with the rush? You look as if you're running away from a sling of gunfire." Rita looked Yakko over with interest. Yakko simply panted and coughed for a few seconds. It was taking a while for him to say anything partly because he needed to calm himself, and mostly because he wasn't sure how to say this. When he finally spoke it would end up sounding awkward and pathetic either way.

"Rita… that guy who got you your big break… was he in the audience?" Yakko asked first.

"Oh yes. He was definitely there to see our performance. Said he loved it in fact. You need to put yourself out there more often you know?" Rita answered for him, not at all convinced that's all he wanted to know.

Yakko took in a slight breath before sweating a bit and facing her while standing straight up now. "Erm… listen… I'm in need of some serious help. I…" Yakko hated what he was about to ask. He hated this!

"You need money?" Rita asked for him with a sad sigh. Yakko swallowed and simply nodded. This was humiliating. It was also extremely pointless as fate would have it. "Sorry Yakko, we don't really have much. The best I can spare right now is about 50 bucks though."

"What? Huh?" Yakko blinked in confusion.

"The plans for our trip to Broadway are a go. All that's been finalized and we've got a free ride to be sure but as for the money that we have right now? Runt and I have just enough to get by with food and water. We also have to pay for a little hut on the lot to keep us nice and sheltered. The skits we did on the show paid well but they pretty much over after Season 1. Ever since, we've been using what we've had to get by with a little help from the occasional cameo or two." Rita felt supremely sorry the entire time she was explaining this to Yakko. When she had told him about the plans for their success ahead, she hadn't wished to imply that they were currently living the high life.

It wasn't her fault though, and Yakko knew it. If he had given it one iota of thought he probably could've figured that out himself. He grasped at his head, sweating and gritting his teeth. It felt like he was in literal pain from being bombarded with the sad truth so many times. The descending look on Yakko's face wasn't unnoticed by either Rita or Runt though.

"Yakko, I'm really sorry. I'll be sure to help any other way I can…" Rita spoke up. Yakko continued clutching his head, as if he couldn't hear her. His eyes were shut tightly. This position was scaring her a bit.

"Umm, hey Yakko. Are you okay?" Runt asked, stepping a little closer.

Yakko let his hands drop to his sides finally. With a heavy, clearly frustrated sigh, he opened his eyes and gazed across from them. "I'll be fine. Somehow, I'll…" He began but stopped talking. His attempts to reassure himself felt more and more like he was harshly lying to himself as the situation dragged onward through the mud.

Rita and Runt's attempts to console him wouldn't work now. He had a huge headache all of a sudden.

Yakko was about to turn to leave when he heard a frantic voice call his name from behind the dog and cat. The three all turned to look and sure enough, it was Dot. She looked extremely frantic and worried. Somehow though, they were all convinced that she looked far worse than Yakko had just before.

Dot skidded to a stop in front of Yakko and panted hard in a cold sweat. Yakko approached her and was about to ask what the problem was when she blurted it out in a panicked huff.

"Wakko's gone! He's gone and I can't find him! He's not anywhere!" Dot yelled straight at Yakko, the fear in her voice was obvious. Upon hearing the news, Yakko felt something shift in the pit of his stomach.

"Calm down Dot. You sure he didn't just go off for a walk like usual?" Yakko put his hand on her shoulder but she shook in fright and sprung back into hysterics.

"No! He didn't! I was with him the whole time in that party place and then he said he was leaving to pick something up for me at the Water Tower. The whole time you were gone Yakko, he didn't turn up so I looked in the Tower and couldn't find him. When I came back here, on the trail leading to this garage, I found this." Dot explained intensely and then held up Wakko's red cap. "It was just lying there, dirty and discarded and… it even…"

The three onlookers waited for her to finish. Dot swallowed and continued.

"I saw a blood spot on the edge of it!" Dot finished, gaining access to their big-eyed reaction shots as a result. "Why would that be there? Why'd he leave his hat behind? He loves this hat! He always wears it! He would never do that! Where'd he go?"

Yakko quickly pulled Dot close when he realized that she was started to lose it. She pressed her head into his chest and started to cry a bit. With all that had been happening recently, how could she not assume the worst?

Yakko could only look straight ahead into the empty darkness of night before responding. "It'll be alright…" All he could say was something that was cliché and off the cuff. His knowledge of what was happening and what would happen just wasn't there. "… Wakko… he'll be fine…"

Rita and Runt looked at the two with looks of fear. Runt was extremely shaken and concerned for Wakko's well being. Rita was as well but... she couldn't help but stare at Yakko and felt her mindset float around the concern she had for him.

The way he had said those last few lines to Dot. The way he was gazing off into space. The way he had reacted earlier when Rita had told him about their lack of money.

Yakko didn't seem all that... right in the head anymore...

"We've done played this stupid game with every monument in this studio." Bobby remarked as the three pigeons landed at the forefront of one final obstruction. It was the Water Tower.

"Yeah, but it took a while and we only have one place left to play it with." Pesto grumbled. He hated it when it sounded like Bobby was complaining about one of his ideas.

"We couldn't just say we did them all and gone off to bed?" Bobby shot back which prompted Pesto to grunt.

"Lay off. Once I start a game, I finish it. Besides, it ain't hard. It was never hard and it didn't take long if you weren't stupid. Just look at the Water Tower at this low angle and tell me what you see." Pesto commanded.

"You do it first." Bobby ordered.

"A giant cannoli." Pesto wasted no time with his answer.

"Badda bing… "Bobby eyed Squit who was looking straight up at the tower, obviously trying to come up with something to say. Bobby sighed and decided just to get the last run of this game over and done with.

"A large yellow pill with four Twizzlers for legs." Bobby smirked. Pesto groaned. He didn't like that answer for some reason.

"Alright Squit, it's your turn. Make it good." Pesto shot his look toward the third member. Squit had finished examining it and had gotten his answer. He was a bit reluctant to say it though.

"Well to me it… nah it's stupid." Squit concluded.

"Probably. But say it anyway." Pesto retorted instantly.

"Oh alright." Squit smirked and looked straight up at it again. "Honestly? From here… at this angle… in the dead of this night... "

Bobby and Pesto watched Squit tilt his head as he finished.

"…It looks like a really big tombstone."