A/N:

Hi, I know the last part of the previous chapter may have been a little unclear, sorry about that. Just to clarify, Yakko did see R.J and pointed him out to Talia, and then that's when Talia had her blacked out anger issues kick in, lol.

So sorry for the really long wait, this chapter just did not want to come out of my head for some reason… But thanks to Frumouttamimind and kisa shoma cookie for helping me out with this one XD I'm so sorry again if this chapter isn't worth the wait, I'm trying damn it XD lol

*R.J's POV*

How amusing. I must admit, the rage in her did bring a smile to my face. And it had been so long since I'd seen it. Not as long as last time, granted, but it was worth it seeing the ink she resented working so well. By the looks of things, her siblings were coming alone nicely too. It's such a wonderful feeling when creations of yours turn out so well. Yes, they are my creations. And if one was to argue with me; then who was I not to point out that without me, they would not have been such perfect guinea-pigs in the first place? And I'd worked too hard to let them go so easily.

A good man always has a secure alternative for any interruption. Considering the amount of interruptions available around here, it was plain to see that by that logic, a good man is an understatement of what I am. I am the best. And as soon as people come to understand that, the faster they will understand that my actions have been more than justified. They were, and as of late, are necessary.

The girl looked so inhuman. From what I've seen, the two younger specimens weren't showing this level of abnormality, but it wasn't in their nature as of yet. They hadn't matured enough to feel such imbalance. Or maybe that were, but it hadn't been triggered yet. That would take some looking into. After all, I can't have this happening to me. I need stability, I'd rather die than fully become such a monstrosity. And as I'd rather not die at all, it will be worth the extra research. Oh look how the creature glares at me so, at yet holds back the girl with such protection. I must admit, it was something that amused me greatly. Our last meeting with her in this state wasn't something I care to relive, but to see, I loved that that power would soon be mine. Soon. Oh so soon. As I said earlier, a good, no; great man always has an alternative solution for every problem…

*Talia's POV*

Something was holding be back, but I couldn't see anything. But I didn't want to be restrained. I couldn't take him showing up in our lives again. Why was someone stopping me? I didn't even know what I was going to if I got hold of him. But I wanted to find out. No, I couldn't find out, that's what he wants. He wants me to act like this so that he can get the better of us. If he knows that he brings this amount of madness in me, all this hatred, then he's won already. He won't own me. I won't let him.

I clenched my eyes shut and slowly felt the numbness in my mind drain from me, my cheeks dampening as the ink trickled away. With my free hand I rubbed them clean. Taking a breath, I gave into the restraint and stopped fighting. I took a shuddering breath and opened my eyes, finding that it was Yakko who was holding my right wrist and his heels digging into the grass from effort to keep me still. He looked ar me with an arched eyebrow as if to say 'are you done?' to which I nodded. My breathing was heavy, but I was in control now. I wasn't letting anyone control me again.

"Don't strain the merchandise for him, kiddo. Yet." Yakko warned, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he looked back at the silent and smug R.J.

Finally, R.J spoke, a sneer that was coated in amusement, "Ah, Miss. Nolan; still a fooling yourself that you're a possession for them, are you? I can't say I'm a fan of sharing my creations…"

I don't belong to anyone. I've made that perfectly clear in the past. Why repeat it? "Get away from my family…" For a second, he continued to linger as if mocking me before taking a single step forward to prove his point. "How the hell did you get out?" I snarled, blinking rapidly to stop the ink from taking over again.

"We parted on such sour terms, I'd hate for that to be your last image of me when we have so much more to discuss. That goes for the both of you and your fellow mutants…"

"Mutant, huh?" Yakko pointed a warning finger, a devilish grin on his face, "Well that's kinda hypocritical since you want to be like us so much. In some sense you're the ultimate fan-boy."

He had a point. But I didn't want to get into that right now. "That doesn't answer the question. How did you get out?"

"I have my ways." He shrugged, taking a few steps closer, making my skin crawl, "And connections. They come in very handy if you have the patience for them."

Like how he waited two years for get to us again, or how he waited to find Jack to experiment on, or how he waited for the Warner's to get back onto the studio… the list goes on. My sentences were short, blunt, but I was struggling to keep calm right now. I caught sight of the imprint, jet black and raised in soreness. This had to be swift, "What do you want?"

Yakko folded his arms, "Yeah isn't this the part where you run out of ideas and admit defeat like a normal bad guy?"

At that, R.J chuckled lightly and held his hands behind his back in calmness, "Do not confuse me with your pointless animated stereotypes; I am nothing of the sort."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." He retorted, also taking a step closer out of natural challenging nature, "Clearly you'll need all the help you can get."

Choosing to ignore this, R.J returned to the question at hand, "What do I want? After all this time I'm surprised it hasn't sunken in already." Don't patronise me you psycho and get to the point. "But I'm willing to put that on hold actually. Tell me, you haven't known of this place long and yet it's been around since before I was placed here; how does that make you feel, to learn of more secrets?"

Don't answer that, he's trying to get into your head again, "You tell me."

"Oh nothing can be kept from me for long… It just takes a while sometimes to get to me; for example when I stumbled here a few weeks ago." he sighed, "Oh I heard rumours during my time at CEO and prior; but what need had I for copied tag-along scraps from other studios? They were of no value to me."

Yakko snapped his fingers, "Ah, that's right. You don't want us because we're the firsts; you want us because we came from good old Dadoo J and C." he smirked smugly, "Ain't that right, cousin; or should I call you bro instead?"

Don't annoy him, Yakko. If he makes one false move right now I don't think I could hold back. But that did actually make sense. R.J was still after revenge on the Fleischer's, his family who gave him up; he wanted rid of the Warner's to finally get one up on them. And as for me and my siblings… he wanted us to practice his future abilities on again… Well I'm sorry, R.J, but I won't let you touch any of them again. But that meant Jack was telling the truth, R.J really hadn't known about toon town until recently. But how had he found out? And did that mean that he knew the Fleischer's played a part in the creating of the town? I didn't think so or else he'd surely mean to cause damage there too. Unless that's what he was doing now while also looking for us? I really didn't know; and I didn't want to give anything away by asking. But if he'd been lurking here for weeks, then surly he must have found out about how this place came around.

R.J grimaced at Yakko's words, "Don't insult me so." He collected himself, "But tell me both of you; from one exile to another, doesn't it make you wonder why Jack, as he goes by now, why he kept this from you?"

"We've been given reasons." I stated bluntly. He didn't any more information than that. And sure the reasons we'd been given were, well, crap, but he didn't need to know. The less mind games he used, the better.

"No doubt you're unsatisfied. As is the norm here." He arched an eyebrow, "Something we share, you see. For once it seems we're the same, both seeking answers, and I see no reason why we cannot find them together."

Yakko and I exchanged a look. Was this guy serious? I narrowed my eyes, "I can think of a few reasons."

"Try a soon to be trilogies worth." Yakko muttered. I didn't understand that reference and labelled it with the 'big-shot' and 'you're right, this isn't a cartoon' comments.

To be honest, I didn't have the time or energy for this, "We're not helping you. We're not the same; you ignored everything you were told about this place so it's your own fault."

"I'll admit that." He nodded, "But doesn't everyone deserve a chance to redeem themselves?"

"Oh so you're sorry for trying to kill us and torturing us and taking away memories and experimenting?" Yakko asked sarcastically, "Denied."

I shook my head, "No, he's not sorry. He means that he wants to make up for not listening in the past so that he can take advantage now. Just another way of getting back in control. And then the minute he does you're back on the drawing board and we're being fitted for her headgear, am I right?"

Although he didn't answer straight away, there was a flicker of approval in his eyes, "Such distrust and suspicion. I've done well."

Anger hissed once more and I went to take a step towards him, fists clenched, but Yakko gripped my wrist once more to hold me back. I stopped, but didn't want to be released just in case, "Give me a reason why I shouldn't return the favour right now?"

It was a valid question and frankly I'm surprised I was giving him the option. Valid enough it seemed to make the toons grip on me loosen a little as if he was getting irritated enough to give up on restraining me. Inside I was fuming with myself, I wanted to hurt this man so much for what he's done to us, and yet I couldn't. I wasn't a killer, and the last time I hurt him, I scared myself. I didn't want to become that person who could hurt a living thing without a second thought. So no, I wasn't going to hurt him or make him suffer just yet. I guess… I didn't want to turn into him.

He considered my question for a moment before shrugging passively, "Why should I give you a reason?" That took be by surprise… "I've already said that I'm setting aside the past for now to figure out the present."

I didn't understand. But it seemed where one was pondering, the other was concluding. Yakko let out a dry laugh and folded his arms, "So you want us to be best buddies so that you can get your head around this little conspiracy? I'll ignore the irony of that for now. And then what? It's back to square one? Or in your case that would be cell one, wouldn't it?"

Is that it? I wondered. He wants answers from us, and as soon as he was them go right back to trying to get to us? R.J shook his head, but not to disagree, just to be condescending, "Oh I'm not going back there, I promise that. And I already understand this place perfectly well for the most part."

"Then what do you want?" I asked for the second time, trying to hide the desperation in my tone. He was speaking in riddles again, and that never ended well. I was getting sick of this shit. "Just come out and say it."

I could almost hear Yakko thinking 'way to play it smooth'. But I didn't care anymore. R.J let a mocking smile tweak at a corner of his mouth, "I can see that I'm putting pressure on that dark temper of yours. So indeed, I'll make this quick." He chuckled, "Although my plans for the six of you remain… You're not my priority as of yet. My priority, much like yours, is to understand why this place was kept secret, and in turn find out how to free it. After that, well only time will tell."

"Free it?" I repeated, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh it's for the greater good I assure you."

"Whose version?" Yakko questioned.

"I'm sure you of all will appreciate it." R.J waved a hand dismissively.

Again, he didn't answer the questions. "Why do you need us? Why not go to the studio and ask yourself?" Obviously I didn't want him near the studio again, but if he went there, surely there was a bigger chance of him being caught? I didn't know…

"No." he answered simply, "And for good measure, I've not been on studio mainland since arriving here. It seems the design is complex, only those who know the way, or aren't looking for the way, can get out. I'm trapped." No regret in his voice, only a glimmer of joyous disbelief.

"What is this? Narnia?" Yakko muttered to me.

Wouldn't surprise me, and frankly we could do with that lions help right now. Or any help really. "And why should we listen to you? What's to stop us taking you to the studio right now and getting this whole thing over with right now?

Yakko flashed me a knowing look, "We could run and we could flee, then where would our story be?"

I ignored that and turned my look back to R.J, waiting for a good reason. Sure, I couldn't bring myself to cause damage to him; but making people aware that he was here, that was something I could do quite happily. R.J curled his mouth into a slyness I was too familiar with and started to nonchalantly walk towards the cluster of forestry.

"Try, it makes no difference in the long run. I'm not going to be hiding from you after all. Just waiting for our answers." I didn't like the work 'our' in that, "But I'd hurry, this place can't wait for freedom much longer."

I wanted to go after him, stop him and put an end to this mess before it started. But I couldn't move. It was as if the roots from the ground had sprung up and were holding me in place. Why can't I go near him? Why can't I ever just do the right thing? He made me feel so ill, so isolated and useless. It was like the very idea of stopping him was draining me all of a sudden. No, he can't get away again. And yet, there he was… Leaving without a second thought…

"I'm not hiding, remember, I'll be easy enough to find when you wish to cooperate." he stated simply, "You'll be asking for my help again soon enough."

"Sure we will," Yakko nodded in mock understanding, "Like asking if you'll ever so kindly talk a long walk of a short pier."

"Well, I'll take the walk anyway." He returned with a twisted calm, "Remember, time's ticking, and I can't wait forever. Yet…"

A/N:

Don't go hating on Talia for letting him go, the guy scares the total shit out of her and she can't bring herself to loose control again! And don't hate on Yakko either, he's keeping an eye on his kiddo after all… And like he said, where would our story be if he was caught just like that? (that line is from HMS Yakko)

So to avoid confusion, because lets face it that's what R.J does best… He has gotten out of prison though his 'connections', he has found out about Toon Town after ignoring rumours during his time as CEO, he wants to find out more about its workings and why it was kept a secret so that he was 'free' it, but that that means is a secret, lol. He wants to use Talia's annoyance of secret keeping to find out more information. So in a way he's trying to trick them into working for him before he can go about his usual business… Yeah that really doesn't clear much up, lol, sorry… XD

Again, so sorry for the extra long wait, I really didn't intend for it to take so long, but writers block hit bad. Damn you R.J! Well, until next time folks! XD