well well well here it is! The final chapter at last! Thank you so much everyone who's stuck with this since day one...as well as any new readers that stumble upon it. I'm very proud of this story and I'm so glad it was so well received. I'm sad it has to end by I'm looking forward to writing more stories for you all. So...without further ramblings...enjoy
"I gotta say, fellas, I'm impressed."
Mickey smiled ear to ear as the group stood outside of the tent. Mike was getting thrown into a police car and the captive toons were all being comforted and being led to cars to take them back to their respective studios. The out of work toons were also being taken in by Disney and Warner Bros. Studios.
"I just talked with Plotz." Bugs said, snapping a cell phone shut. "He and the rest of the board and big wigs at Disney are having a meeting with the governor of California first thing tomorrow morning." The Warner siblings stared at him in wonder. "Really?" Dot asked, amazed. "That fast?"
Bugs nodded. "Yeah, doc, that fast. The studios are real upset. They're gonna push some Toon Protection Programs to give us just as much right as the humans. The only reason Mike's getting put away for this is because he was using studio property. Had he stuck with unemployed toons...this would have been totally legal."
Wakko felt slightly sick inside. The idea that the stuff he witnessed would have been okay...it made his stomach turn over.
"Hey Mickey! We found one of our older guys!"
And executive from Disney was leading Octavious from the big top tent. Mickey gasped and, with a huge smile, hugged the pink elephant with joy. "OCTAVIOUS! I've been wondering for years where you have been..."
Octavious chuckled and returned the hug. "Well, if it weren't for Wakko here, I would still be dancing for that dirty ringleader." He smiled over at Wakko. "A lot of toons have you to thank. You done good, kid."
Yakko smiled softly down at his little brother, resting a hand proudly on Wakko's shoulder. "He sure did. Boy...did I sure underestimate you all these years, brother sibling..."
Wakko swelled with pride at Yakko's words. He really did hold his own here...
Octavious pats Wakko on the head with his trunk. "I owe you everything, Wakko. Come by Disney when you get the chance. You and your siblings."
Wakko nodded and smiled up at the old elephant. "I will."
Octavious was led to a car to take him back to the Disney lot. Beside Yakko, Dot yawned and was starting to lean onto him put of exhaustion. Yakko laughs and picks her up. As soon as her feet left the ground Dot konked out right on Yakko's shoulder. The older toons chuckled. "Looks like it's time to get these kids home.' Hello Nurse said, smiling warmly. Wakko felt his heart grow light inside his chest.
Home...Home sounded nice...
*****
About an hour later Yakko was tucking Dot into her bunk. The small child was out cold for sure. Wakko was on the top bunk, feeling so glad to be home in his warm bed once again. He never thought he would be so scared of never returning to this rusty old water tower...but nothing seems to be impossible. Yakko climbed up to the top bunk and sat down next to his younger brother. They sat in silence together for a moment before Wakko spoke quietly, looking down.
"I'm sorry. I never should have left the water tower without you. I just wanted to prove to you that I wasn't a baby...but you were right all along."
"No, Wakko. I'm the one who should be sorry. I was so determined to make sure you and Dot never had to see how ugly the world is that I may have well just painted target signs of you. Keeping you ignorant to the world was wrong. I should have trusted you to be able to handle the truth. I definitely messed up this whole big brother thing good."
Wakko was silent for a moment before he hugged his big brother around the waist.
"You're the best big brother any toon could have. I love you Yakko."
Yakko felt a tightness in his chest and his eyes filled with happy tears. He hugged Wakko in return.
"I love you too, brother sibling..."
After the heartwarming moment ended, Yakko was on his way down the ladder to his bunk. However, Wakko's voice stopped him one more time.
"Yakko? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. But make it quick. You do need your sleep. Scratchy want to have a one on one with you tomorrow."
"Yeah...it's about that. Do you think you could...walk with me tomorrow?"
Yakko was stunned for a moment. Before another tight, sentimental feeling hit his chest again. He cleared his throat.
"Of course I can."
Wakko smiled and curled up, his sleep deprivation catching up to him as he slipped off to dreamland, feeling the warm safety of home at last. Yakko watched him for a moment, almost as if he was afraid that if he took his eyes off of his brother for even a moment he would be gone again. After a few minutes, the eldest Warner finally climbed down to his own bed. Settling in under the blankets, Yakko was thanking every single one of his lucky stars that his family was back together again. The world out there was crazy and not always very nice. Not everyone would like him, but Yakko Warner didn't need their approval. The only ones he needed in his corner were Wakko and Dot. As long as the Warners had eachother, nothing would ever being them down.
All for one and one for all times three.
Thats the way it was meant to be...and that's the way it'll always stay.
~The End~