Treasures of the Inkwell

by Tessa Honeybee

Over twenty years have passed since Bugs misplaced Oswald and Ortensia's inkwell. In the meantime he's tried to make up for his mistake, by mentoring and raising three zany children. But Bugs failed to tell them they were never meant to be drawn orphans. When the truth comes out in 2006, Oswald is back to claim the family that is rightfully his. Sequel to Walt's Lost Treasure.

7. Some Truth

February 10, 2006 7:03 pm

Yakko raced up the tiled walkway, with the black rabbit in sight. His purple swim trunks, still soaked from his time in the hot tub, weighed down on his legs. His wet toes held little traction to the floor. But Yakko kept running. Just as he leaned into a sharp turn around the corner, one foot strayed too close to the water. Yakko unknowingly bore half his weight onto liquid. His foot sank in, then his leg, and before he knew it the rest of him followed. The teen Warner plunged into the pool with a giant splash, catching everyone around him by surprise; especially the black rabbit. Underwater, Yakko flailed and gulped up some chlorine water before he could stop himself. He managed to claw his way to the surface. Yakko uncontrollably coughed and gagged. His throat and nose still burned, but at least he was starting to feel better. Then Yakko gazed upward, still determined to interrogate Bugs' enemy. Yakko faced the black rabbit for the first time, and didn't see what he expected. She batted her long eyelashes back at Yakko. Her red lips parted slightly. The fem rabbit seemed concerned for Yakko. Truthfully Yakko couldn't care less about his prat fall. What mortified him was mistaking a doe for a buck! To make Yakko's embarrassment worse, the fem rabbit's white towel covering her back and shoulders, obviously couldn't hide the front of her low V-neck, white swimsuit. 'Why couldn't you just wear a giant pink bow on your head, and save me the trouble?!' Yakko thought. The tiny green party dress Wendy Darling mended, was the last straw for Yakko. He swam off before he could cause himself any more embarrassment.

Yakko paddled to the pool wall opposite from where he fell. He climbed to all fours on the tile floor, and shook off like a dog. A woman shrieked, but Yakko paid no mind. His fur was still a little damp. A thorough spin change into a dry tux, and he'd feel better. The last water droplets in Yakko's fur flew off as he changed. When Yakko stilled, he eyed a shapely human body helping herself off the floor. The brunette woman picked up the ends of her dampened purple dress. Yakko hadn't quite put it together yet, but the woman slipped in a puddle of pool water he shook off. The teen Warner apologetically offered his hand to the maiden. He prepared a smooth line, but the maiden swatted his hand away. Her seashell necklace glowed gold.

"You little fool! Look what you've done to my dress!" The woman hoarsely shouted. Yakko smugly rolled his eyes at her. 'Oh no. It's not like you live underwater.' Yakko thought.

"Well if you're going to talk to me like that, go choke on a shrimp!" He spat, showing his back to her. As Yakko spun on his toes, he tossed a banana peel behind him. Naturally the peel tripped up the maiden so she fell backwards into the pool. Golden whisps surrounded the necklace. Despite being drenched, the maiden's hair stood on end like porcupine quills. Her eyes pulsed red. It appeared she was about to show her true colors plus six tentacles. However Yakko disregarded her as he walked away. He could have done more until she apologized. But he had more important things to do. Yakko left the pool room through two glass panel doors. He knew it was best to keep searching.

February 10, 2006 7:05 pm

Dot grew extremely impatient with Minnie. The cutest Warner pouted as she dragged her bare feet a couple steps behind the hostess. Her head felt heavy from boredom. Oswald could have been putty in Dot's hands by now. But with Minnie as her guide, Dot had to wait on the sidelines every time Minnie patiently handled a crisis. And there was a lot to handle. Timon and Pumbaa tried to eat Jiminy Cricket. Elliott the dragon sneezed the kitchen on fire. How long had it been since Dot asked to see Oswald? A half hour? Forty minutes?

"Maybe he's in here." Minnie predicted.

Minnie pushed through a new pair of chestnut doors. With the motion, a wave of big band music burst out. Dot flinched from the overwhelming volume. She followed the hostess into the biggest room she'd seen yet; the ballroom. Golden hues painted the walls and floor. Sixteen pillars lined the room. One wall was almost entirely towering windows that brought in the deep blue night sky. It really was a beautiful setting. In a sense the ballroom was made more beautiful by the lively toons dancing to the live music. In one corner, a band of pink elephants morphed their trunks into various brass instruments. Minnie searched for a black rabbit about her height. The task proved to be difficult, since almost all the toons in the room were five foot or taller. In this mass of human toons, it was hard to find a small funny animal toon, and easy to lose one. Minnie glanced over her shoulder to make sure Dot was still nearby.

Dot's feet treaded after Minnie, but her attention was constantly on all the famous animated couples cutting a rug. She wouldn't admit it, but she felt a little star-struck. Seeing big name Disney toons in person was nothing new to Dot. After all most of Toontown's population was Disney toons. But in this atmosphere, seeing so many in one place, Dot almost forgot the cynical attitude toward Disney she was raised to express. Cinderella danced with Prince Charming. Belle held the Beast's paw. A human Ms. Potts partnered with Maurice. Aurora followed Prince Phillip's lead. Jasmine swayed in Aladdin's arms. Snow White danced with her prince when Dopey wasn't cutting in. Minnie sidestepped behind a pillar, and Dot realized why when she saw a large red and black striped obstacle spinning straight toward her. Dot darted to safety beside Minnie. Without a care, the weighty Queen of Hearts twirled on passed them. She held the White Rabbit up to her chest in a crushing grip. The Queen showed a rare smile. All the while the White Rabbit's fear-stricken eyes begged her to let him down.

"Jessica Rabbit, she's not." Dot commented. As the Queen danced on her way, purple stripes faded into view behind her neck. The Cheshire cat, draped his body over the Queen's shoulders like a fur stole, turned his head one hundred eighty degrees, and winked at Dot. The youngest Warner disregarded the cat. While they were out of anyone else's way, this was the perfect time for Dot to speak her mind to Minnie. "Can I talk to Oswald now, pretty please? I really, really, wanna meet him." She pleaded. Her eyes became sparkly with teary irises. In this situation she figured it was better to be cute than pushy. Otherwise she might lose her guide.

"I'm sorry, Dot. Oh, here's someone who can help you." Minnie noticed. She gestured with open hand to a dancing couple. Dot scrutinized them. Clearly the identical inkblot cats were oblivious to everything but the music. The tom wore a maroon tux and the queen wore a magenta ball gown and a sparkling tiara. The cats' movement halted when the song ended. Tiredly, the queen cat panted.

"Hi, Ortensia." Minnie greeted, suddenly behind the queen cat. Ortensia's fine fur stood on end. Her heels caught inches of air as she twisted around in fright. She caused herself such a whiplash, that her tiara slipped down her forehead and covered her eyes. Minnie's hand shot out to steady her friend. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to introduce you to someone." Minnie apologized frantically. Dot raised her brow. A cat scared by a mouse? This party promised to be interesting after all.

"Oh, that's alright. This happens a lot." Ortensia sighed, recognizing Minnie's voice. Blindly, she fumbled with the tiara.

"Dot, meet Ortensia Cat. Ortensia, this is..." Minnie began.

"Princess Angelina," Dot interrupted. "Con...tessa...Lou..." Dot's introduction slowed as a strange instinct came over her. Ortensia lifted the tiara off her face and met Dot eye to eye for the first time. They were instantly hypnotized. "You look just like me." Dot gasped. Ortensia struggled for words. The likeness she and this toon child shared was uncanny. Not because the girl was a perfect miniature version of her. That she had seen before in other inkblots. But because this girl was not an inkblot. She was a hue, which only semi resembled Ortensia as well as something else. Something very familiar.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess." Ortensia smiled, finding her voice.

"Call me Dot." The youngest Warner replied.

"Dot. That's a lovely name." Ortensia complimented. A pause settled between them until Ortensia remembered her dance partner.

"Homer, could you go check on the twins?" Ortensia requested. Homer stared back at her strangely, but dutifully obliged. He wandered off, leaving the girls alone. While Ortensia and Dot remained frozen in their trance, Minnie stood between the two toons, equally baffled.

"Ortensia, Dot wanted to know..." Minnie started. However a new minor disaster arrived in the sound of bells. Tinkerbell flew to Minnie like a shooting star. Dot admired her frail and shimmering beauty, until she felt a twinge of jealousy. The little bug was tinier, ergo cuter than her. Dot prepared to test the pixie's legendary temper. "Oh, hello Tinkerbell." Minnie chimed sweetly. Dot relaxed her fists. She restrained herself for the time being. Tinkerbell jingled her message to Minnie.

"**** **+**+ ********"

"She is?" Minnie worried.

"+**+*******"

"I see." Minnie pondered. Ortensia and Dot exchanged puzzled looks.

"What's wrong?" Ortensia inquired.

"It's Maleficent. She just flew in, and somebody has to go make her feel welcome. Or else." Minnie dreaded. Tinkerbell pointed to herself and then wagged her finger as if to communicate 'And it won't be me!'

"You invited her?!" Ortensia panicked. "Minnie, of all parties? Of all nights?"

"Trust me. We're better off inviting her than not." Minnie promised. "And don't worry. You won't even know she's here. I'll take care of everything." She placated. Her own words made her a deer in headlights. She doubted she could juggle one more catastrophe tonight. But she stood by her word. "I'll welcome Maleficent. As long as you and Oswald are having a better time than I am, then it'll all be worth it." Minnie optimized. She tried to leave with haste, but paused a couple steps away. "Dot, you can ask anything you like." Minnie granted. With that, the hostess took off. Tinkerbell looped over Dot's head, and flew away in her own direction. Dot cupped traces of fallen pixie dust in her hands. If she were like her brothers, she would have ingested it to see if it tasted like powdered sugar. Instead she pulled her glove inside out, and packed the dust away for safe keeping. Dot glanced at Ortensia, only to find the cat uncomfortably looking at her. The Warner sister watched her hands while she placed on a new opera glove and sorted her thoughts. Ortensia Cat. Somehow Dot knew she shared a connection with the inkblot cat, who apparently shared a connection with Oswald. If she got to know them both, she could hit two birds with one stone. Dot snapped her glove on her wrist.

"So what did you want to ask me, dear." Ortensia questioned. She mistook Dot's quiet scheming for shyness.

"Did I tell you yet you're tiara's beautiful?" Dot flattered. Ortensia giggled. She turned her head to profile, modeling the tiara. A diamond studded band shaped of roses glittered across her forehead. Giving the tiara more attention, Dot felt somewhat inferior with her fabric based pink daisy barrette.

"Thank you. It's an anniversary gift." Ortensia beamed. Dot's face fell with embarrassment.

"My bad then. Sorry to steal you from your man." Dot cringed. The cat looked at her strangely. Then she understood.

"Oh, don't be silly! Homer's not my husband. He's my little brother." Ortensia laughed.

Unknown to Dot, Ortensia's real husband stood not fifty feet away from her. The lucky rabbit sported a charcoal grey suit and blue bowtie for possibly the greatest night of his life. A ring of animated friends shielded him from Dot's view. They all patted him on the back and asked questions. If not for this special treatment, Oswald would be dancing with his wife now and through the night. Although he didn't really mind being the center of attention. An auburn haired human toon dressed in a yellow puff sleeve shirt and culottes, knelt to embrace Oswald with a friendly arm across his shoulders.

"Mon ami! How does it feel, to be home?" Lumiere inquired. "That is to say, by law." He corrected himself. Oswald understood what his friend meant. The rabbit already heard that speech from Mickey.

"It's like cloud nine, Lumiere." Oswald grinned. A doll-like blonde haired blue eyed girl curtsied to him.

"Will you make any more cartoons, Mr. Rabbit?" Alice questioned.

"Well it's hard to say when that will be. I've only been back two days, so there's no film productions in the works yet. But Iger says he's got big plans for me." Oswald explained. "He hasn't let me down yet. So... we've all got big hopes for the future." The rabbit finished. His friends agreed with warm smiles. An emerald hanfu garbed maiden stooped to extend a formal handshake to the rabbit. Oswald eagerly accepted it.

"We're so grateful you're here, Oswald. It's an honor to welcome an old friend home." Mulan praised, speaking for herself and Shang. "Are you excited to influence a new generation?" She asked.

"I think I already am." Oswald beamed. "You wouldn't believe it, but ever since yesterday, younger fans have been crawling out of the woodworks to meet me!"

"Oswald? Why couldn't you just be a Disney toon sooner? I can't remember." A blonde boy, about Oswald's height admitted. The air thickened with solemn silence despite the blaring trombone music across the room. Oswald would admit now the constant attention was wearing out its welcome. He bit his bottom lip nervously.

"Um, that's complicated, Chip." Oswald answered. He took a deep breath. "After my cartoons bit the dust in the '40's, I was kind of trapped in limbo bec-AHH!" Oswald yelped, feeling his whole left leg detach from his body. He balanced himself on hand and knee just in time to see a stretched inkblot arm make off with his foot. The arm retracted under Slue-Foot Sue's pale yellow dress. Rather than shrieking in fright, Sue flipped her red braids behind her shoulders, took a step backwards, and jabbed the heel of her boot into the thief's arm. She calmly lifted her skirt and walked aside, revealing the inkblot hand, crushed and sparking stars. Its arm extended far from the unseen inkblot's body. "Hey, buster! There's easier ways to get a lucky rabbit's foot!" Oswald called out furiously.

The injured hand released its grip on the rabbit's foot, and the whole leg came hopping back to Oswald. Swiftly the inkblot arm retracted to a normal length. The human toons parted three rows to reveal a black bear in a white tux and top hat, shorter than Oswald, holding his wrist gently. Oswald instantly forgot his temper at the sight of his old friend.

"Toby!" Oswald exclaimed. He raced up to the bear, eagerly shook his hand, and pulled him into a hug. Toby mirrored the motions with the same excitement. For a moment, Oswald only communicated to Toby with a wide open smile. The two friends grew up together as silent toons, and learned early on that what they could say without words was always enough. Then Oswald remembered just what started the scene. He did a quick glance back at Sue. Though the rabbit didn't mind Toby's antics, they both had a family friendly reputation to uphold, being Disney toons. Oswald hit his friend over the head as a reminder. "You cad." He scolded. Toby scratched his head and slyly winked.

"Um, Oswald?" Chip said. The rabbit turned around while elbowing Toby in the side to get him moving. Oswald hastily picked up his story where he left off.

"And then Mickey showed up with a snow globe, and we all ate Christmas cake! The end!" Oswald blurted. In a grey blur, Oswald and Toby bolted from the ballroom. They plowed the heavy doors open, rocketed through and left the corridor before the ballroom doors slammed shut. The rabbit dragged his feet on the floor to make a screeching halt in front of the bronze colored elevator doors. A second behind him, Toby used less friction and more rabbit to be his brakes. The bear bumped into his old friend. Oswald teasingly shoved him back.

"Toby Bear, you haven't changed a bit." Oswald commented, tapping the call button.

And you've changed a lot. The silent toon signed.

"I know. I know. Mickey's turning me soft. Go ahead and laugh." Oswald groaned.

No, I mean you're happy now. Toby clarified.

"Yeah. I am." The rabbit agreed, reflecting on the words. Oswald would admit he had an awful disposition back when he and Toby were in Walter Lantz cartoons. Thank goodness things were different now. "C'mon. Let's see if there's a dark corner in this castle where nobody can congratulate me." Oswald invited, as the elevator doors slid open. The rabbit and bear entered in the red carpeted box. Oswald pressed a random button, causing the doors to close.

Were you in trouble back there? Toby queried.

"No. But you were heading for hot water." Oswald replied. Toby shook off the rabbit's chiding. "Around here only villains go fondling skirts, Toby." Oswald lectured.

How could I touch her if your foot was in my hand? The bear cleverly retorted. Oswald dropped the subject. The toons waited quietly for a moment, until Toby expanded more on his first question. Why are we running?

"Because you caused a diversion, and I literally ran with it." Oswald rushed. The rabbit shifted uncomfortably. "I guess I got cold feet when I started talking about the end of my career..." Something tightened in Oswald's throat. His eyes shifted away from Toby. "I remembered how no one really noticed me when I was there and... No one cared when I disappeared." Oswald mumbled. He exhaled heavily. "I just need some time away from all the excitement." The rabbit stated. A chime sounded, and the elevator let the toons off at a lower floor. Oswald stepped out, but Toby paused at the doorway. It hurt to think he could have done more as a friend, when Oswald needed him most. It hurt even worse to know his guilt-ridden suspicions were true. The rabbit looked back to the bear holding the elevator door.

"Are you coming?" Oswald asked. Toby nodded. He joined Oswald at his side, and wandered wherever the rabbit chose to go. Toby's conscience whispered thoughts he wished he had told Oswald sixty-something years ago.

'I care.'

February 10, 2006 7:30 pm

"So the next day, when the sun was highest in the sky, all the merfolk in Atlantica came out for the duel between Glut the great white shark and Monstro the sperm whale." Alana narrated. Wakko's eyes fell shut. For the third time, Wakko slouched face first in the water. Chlorine in his nose alerted him to pick his head up again. Wakko really tried to listen to the story. But the hot water and jets numbed his senses. After over a half hour of exposure, Wakko struggled to stay awake. All six sisters noticed, but Attina spoke up first.

"Maybe you should get dry, and take a rest." The orange tailed mermaid suggested, already lifting Wakko out of the hot tub. Wakko hung limply in her hands.

"But I wanna hear the story." Wakko whined. Attina set Wakko down on the dry floor. The mermaids nodded to each other. One by one, they scooted out of the hot tub, and slid tail first into the pool. Their heads sank in the water and did not emerge again. "Hey, don't go." Wakko weakly protested.

"Sorry Wakko. We'll call you sometime." Alana promised. With that, she dipped her blue tail in the pool, and descended with her sisters. They all left him without a care in the world. Wakko frowned. He needed something to eat. Slowly Wakko rose to his feet, but paused when his knees trembled. His head felt heavy and his ears pounded with pressure. Suddenly walking around didn't seem like such a good idea. Wakko steadied himself on all fours. With cat like posture, the middle Warner proceeded to take the long walk around the pool. Wakko doubted he had the energy to swim back the way he came. So he stalked toward the glass panel doors and the rest of the castle on the other side. Along the way, something caught the fevered Warner's attention. He spotted a side table and half a shoebox wrapped in red paper. Wakko lifted his hands off the floor and straightened his back to get a better look. The front of the box was labelled by a black framed index card, which read 'Welcome Home cards'. Next to the box were a bucket of Sharpie markers, a stack of blank three by five inch cards, a stack of multicolored envelopes, and a display of painted scallop shells. On each shell, the grooved side was painted a solid blue, green, white or the occasional pink. Every smooth side was decorated with a simple, but unique design. Some had palm trees, jellyfish, anchors, starfish, crashing waves or Hawaiian flowers. The shells were obviously homemade crafts, but still looked nice. Wakko dug through the card box, filled with closed envelopes and a couple shells. One pink shell with a sailboat in sunset colored water, was signed by Ariel.

'To my friend, Oswald. I'm glad you're officially part of the Walt Disney Company again. But what I want to tell you the most, is you were always one of the family to me. Your friendship has made my world a lot brighter. I never knew Walt, but I think he would be happy to know you're not coming home a stranger. You have many friends here, who care about you and love you. Sincerely your true friend and family, Ariel."

Wakko snooped through more shells. They were all inscribed with congratulatory messages or reminiscent stories about Oswald. It seemed Ariel was right. Even though Oswald only rejoined the Walt Disney Company a short time ago, he already made several Disney toon friends in the past as a Universal toon. Now those friends couldn't be more happy for him. Wakko returned the shells to the box. He quickly spin changed into a dry tux. In doing so, he nearly collapsed to the floor from a dizzy spell. Wakko summoned a bushel of carrots from his hammerspace. That would hold him over until he found a buffet. Wakko ventured into the rest of the castle, munching away at the carrots. Then just ahead of him, he sighted a female mountain gorilla walking on her toes and knuckles. She carried a rowdy baby gorilla on her back. Wakko leapt on her back as well. With all the fuss her baby was making, the mother gorilla didn't detect Wakko's extra weight. The baby gorilla squeaked when Wakko landed next to him. So Wakko swiftly stuffed a carrot in the baby gorilla's mouth. Contented by the offering, the baby gorilla gnawed on the carrot and left Wakko alone. Wakko smiled and relaxed on his stomach, still physically drained from the hot tub. His eyes fell shut while he regained his strength, but crucial thoughts kept him conscious. Oswald wasn't turning out to be the antagonistic type Wakko imagined. The more he pondered the good things written of Oswald, the more Bugs seemed suspicious. Perhaps this stranger was a good guy and Bugs was in the wrong. 'What did you do in '83, Bugs?' Wakko wondered.

Suddenly the middle Warner slipped from the gorilla's back. Before he could anchor himself, Wakko's right side crashed against the floor. Wakko winced and slowly raised his head while the mother gorilla walked on. She never noticed his absence, or presence for that matter. Wakko picked himself off the floor, and thoroughly inspected his sleeves. Suddenly he realized the bushel of carrots was gone. Wakko glared daggers at the baby gorilla. The primate in question lazily patted his extended belly. Just as Wakko suspected, the thieving monkey stole his carrots! Wakko prepared to pounce on the gorilla's back again; this time to teach her baby a lesson. But the middle Warner paused in mid step, when the gorillas passed a flashing movie poster on the wall. The glorified image of an inkblot rabbit, framed in lightbulbs, halted Wakko's impulse. He approached the framed art. The beige poster featured Oswald adorning a metal helmet and khaki shorts. The rabbit pulled the string on a tiny cork cannon, aimed at an armed mouse no taller than Oswald's hip. 'UNIVERSAL presents OSWALD The Lucky Rabbit in GREAT GUNS A Winkler Production by WALT DISNEY' the poster read. Wakko's brow raised in surprise. His eyes darted around to see the real attraction he'd stumbled into.

Wakko stood in a corner of a brightly lit octagon shaped lobby. Four of the eight walls held a door and a movie poster framed in lightbulbs. Each one displayed an image of Oswald. The irresistible smell of buttered popcorn lured Wakko away from the walls. Wakko could spare a few seconds to grab a bite to eat, couldn't he? After all the Oswald cartoon and the big clue the Warners were searching for wasn't going anywhere.

At the center of the lobby was a giant popcorn machine on wagon wheels and a self serving snack bar, complete with everything edible Wakko could imagine on a stick. Dumbo elephant ears, Hidden Mickey pretzels and cinnamon rolls, Sleeping Death caramel apples, and fried Giant Peaches were just a small selection. Wakko skipped up to the popcorn machine and opened the glass door. Red and white striped paper bags for carrying popcorn servings were set beside the machine. However Wakko took the plastic scoop, and filled up his gag bag with the crunchy snack. Then middle Warner helped himself to five or so more snacks. He picked up a green apple dipped in a skull-like smear of caramel, just out of curiosity. Just as he did so, he heard a chattering sound. Across the table, a small monkey in a fez and vest, held three caramel apple sticks with the curl of his tail. But he wanted Wakko's most of all.

"You wouldn't want this one." Wakko taunted, crunching half the apple in his mouth. "Its got cooties." Abu grimaced and stuck out his tongue. The monkey retreated, taking three apples with him.

Satisfied with a plentiful amount of sugar and carbs in his grasp, Wakko marched into the same home theater room he spied. Inside, the lights only gave the room a soft amber glow. The light from the giant screen traced the four rows of reclining chairs more than the ceiling lights did. Wakko froze in the isle when he saw Oswald on the big screen. Unfortunately the Warner brother caught Oswald doing his signature ending pose, with his tail flaunted at the audience to show the cartoon had come to 'The End'. Fortunately, Wakko knew for certain he liked the rabbit now. The screen faded to black, then flashed to a variety of inkblot animals, including one that looked like an Oswald prototype. They gathered around the 'GREAT GUNS!' title card. Wakko figured the cartoon was on loop. He shrugged and sat down for another showing.

Suddenly the lights flicked off. The whole room went dark. With his fairly good night vision, Wakko scanned the room for something the matter. He didn't see anything frightening, but he undoubtedly heard a cause for alarm. A sinister cackle sounded unnervingly close behind Wakko.

"Yah! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Yah! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Chills ran down Wakko's spine. His black fur paled by a few tints. Wakko shrank into a ball under his hat. 'Please don't be a clown! Please don't be a clown!' He prayed.

Suddenly the Headless Horseman and his hellish steed charged down the isle, shrouded in heavy shadows cast by the red light of the jack-o-lantern under his arm. The Horseman swung his sword out, toying with his captive audience. The party guests ducked and cowered. Swiftly the horse and master flew as one shadow to the front row. The petrified audience watched the Headless Horseman hunch over the jack-o-lantern he pressed against his gut. The pumpkin's face erupted with a stronger fiery glow. It lit up the Headless Horseman's collar, showing just how hollow he was around the neck. A piercing scream rattled the ears, to those who had them, causing the Headless Horseman to raise his sword in twisted delight. The chase was on. In a flash, man, woman, and animal stampeded out of the theater, with the Headless Horseman riding at their heels. Still curled under his hat, Wakko shivered even more when the commotion silenced. He raised the cap enough to take a peak out. The lights turned on again.

"Thanks, H.H." A new voice hollered. Wakko popped back into his usual shape and crouched against the recliner in front of him. "Talk to Mickey about it now? What, and let him know I'm having a relapse?" The voice inquired agitatedly. "I have to stop using my brother as a crutch at some point." The voice argued. "Besides, I've found this very therapeutic." Cautiously Wakko poked his head over the backrest. The middle Warner flinched at what he witnessed. Weightlessly, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit floated upside down in mid air. His back arched. His arms hung limp. Only the steady flapping of the rabbit's ears kept him airborne.

"It's him." Wakko breathed. Instinctually, Oswald's ear twitched at the foreign sound. The rabbit flipped upright, and spotted Wakko's red hat immediately.

"Hey!" Oswald exclaimed. The rabbit swooped down to Wakko's level. If not for the tall ears and three or four inches on the top, the inkblot rabbit would have stood at the same height as the kid toon. "Weren't you scared of the ghost?" Oswald inquired.

"Ghost? No I'm only scared of two things; clowns that throw me in the basement and dinosaurs that sing educational morals to one dimensional preschoolers." Wakko rambled. The rabbit chuckled under his breath.

"Who are you?" Oswald queried with a smile.

"I'm Wakko." He replied.

"Right you are." Oswald perceived. "Hey, Toby! C'mere! Meet Wakko." The rabbit called to his friend. The inkblot bear joined the duo, and shook Wakko's hand.

"Good trick by the way. I can do that too." Wakko complimented Oswald. He demonstrated by spinning his ears to lift himself a couple inches off the ground.

"Can you stand on your head?" Oswald challenged.

"Can you?" Wakko countered. The rabbit plucked his head off his shoulders, and placed it under his foot like a kickball. "Faboo!" Wakko cheered.

February 10, 2006 9:10 pm

Somewhere in Toontown two rabbits kissed passionately in near pitch blackness, save for the flickering of a single candle. Dark silhouettes on the wall explored each other's bodies. Bugs blindly unzipped his date's ruby dress, while interlocking his lips with hers. Daisy Lou had long since pried away every piece of Bugs' tux.

"How did I ever... leave you?" Daisy Lou panted between kisses. Bugs didn't want that topic to spoil the evening. He tenderly placed a finger on her lips.

"We don't have ta talk right now." He whispered. Suddenly Bugs felt a vibration on his hip. His first instinct was to ignore it. But then he reconsidered. Reluctantly Bugs shifted away from his date.

"Sorry, Doll. It's probably th' kids." He excused himself, summoning his cell phone from his hammerspace. He marched to a dark corner for privacy.

"Dis had bettah be good, Doc." Bugs growled.

"Uncle Bugs!" Clyde's voice cried over the phone. Disappointedly, Bugs shook his head. Something just had to go wrong tonight.

"Calm down, Nephew." Bugs soothed. "Just tell me what happened."

"The Warners! They're gone!" Clyde shouted. His uncle felt a ton of bricks hit him.

"WHAT?!" Bugs panicked.

"They snuck out! I fell asleep watching a movie, and when I woke up the Warners were gone!" Clyde continued.

"Don't move, Doc! I'll be home ASAP." Bugs commanded.

"Wait! Buster's here to tell ya something important." Clyde relayed hurriedly.

"Buster?" Bugs questioned. The rabbit heard shuffling noises as the home phone was handed over to Buster.

"Hiya, Teach." Buster said nervously.

"Buster, what're ya doin' at my place?" Bugs groaned.

"Trying to get a hold of you. I called three times, and all I got was the answering machine. So I came over here to tell you in person." Buster informed. "That's when I found Clyde out cold and earmuffed." He added uncomfortably. By that description, Bugs knew exactly what the underhanded sneaks had done. Bugs' brow furrowed in rage. He could tolerate a lot of havoc from those three. But no one, not even children got away with taking advantage of Clyde's trust! Bugs vowed to find the Warners and ground them for life! "Listen, I think the Warners are in trouble." Buster warned.

"They won't know da meaning of da woid till I get my hands on 'em!" Bugs fumed.

"No, I mean worse than that. See, Babs and I caught a late movie, and when we came home, I noticed Wakko left a message on the answering machine..." The blue rabbit explained.

"When was dat timed?" Bugs inquired.

"Two hours ago." Buster replied gravely.

"Did he say where he was at?" The elder rabbit hoped.

"He didn't have to. I know where they are." Buster sheepishly confessed.

"Where?!" Bugs demanded.

"At Mickey Mouse's house, looking for Oswald." The blue rabbit unveiled. Shaken by the revelation, Bugs fell silent. Visions of the inevitable clouded his thoughts. One more nightmare Bugs tried to outrun had finally begun.

"Wait a sec! Da Warners talked to ya yesterday. Correct?" Bugs figured. "You knew dis would happen and ya waited till now ta have a conscience?!" He snapped.

"I didn't wanna rat on them if they didn't actually go through with it!" Buster justified. The elder rabbit bit his tongue to stop interrogating Buster any further.

"Alright, just stay der' till I get home wit' da Warners." Bugs ordered and hung up abruptly. Worriedly, Daisy Lou ventured close to him. Her hand gently brushed his shoulder.

"Is something wrong?" Daisy Lou whispered.

"Ya can't imagine." Bugs seethed through his teeth.