To Catch a Mad Toon

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the cast, they belong to Warner Brothers.

Wakko and Dot sat in silence as Claire placed their meals in front of them. They couldn't shake a bad feeling off, and apparently the girl was able to tell. It had been three weeks since they had been out on the streets and their days were often spent wondering from place to place, and the occasional dumpster to find food and essentials.

"Alright you two, spit it out." Claire yawned.

Dot stirred a little, "Just a bad feeling, like we're being watched."

"We don't like it" Wakko added.

Claire nodded understanding, "Don't worry, it'll be over soon I have a feeling that our small adventure will be over."

The two young Warners couldn't understand what she meant, but knew to go with it. So far Claire had kept true to her word, and had been their greatest source of comfort. Every night she stayed up to watch over them and ensure that Buddy wouldn't strike them while they slept. They had grown concerned though with the fact that she only ran on a few hours of sleep each day, but she had managed to reassure them that her health was fine. The three sat there and ate their meal in silence until something caused the fur on Wakko's neck to stand on edge.

"He's here" Wakko breathed.

Claire smirked faintly against the soup bowl to her lips, just as she planned. The girl had figured that eventually Buddy would get tired of playing games and try to attack them out in the open. It had taken three long weeks of little sleep, upset children, and her own health. Sure enough though sitting behind Wakko at a table was Buddy, who despite trying to conceal himself failed miserably. Claire knew exactly how to get the toon to react, and how to ensure that both Wakko and Dot were not hurt.

"You two stay here" Claire instructed and got up.

Wakko and Dot nodded, not quite sure on what their friend was really going to do this time around. Both watched as Claire walked past Buddy and apparently uttered something that caused the toon to go into a rage and pull out his revolver.

Claire put her hands up, "Easy now, no need to be waving that around a bunch of kids."

"I will kill you!" Buddy screamed.

"Well that's an intimidating threat if I ever heard one. What, going to shoot me just like you did to Wakko? Going to cause a water tower to explode on me like you did to Yakko? Or what about destroying poor Dot's world and driving her into madness?" Claire retorted.

Wakko quietly snuck up behind Buddy and pulled out his mallet. Claire had given him just what he needed, an opening. With one swift blow he knocked Buddy unconscious and looked at Claire who seemed shocked by his actions. At first he was a bit confused, but the look in Claire's eyes helped him understand.

"Whoops?" Wakko asked.

Claire laughed a little, "Was going to have him hit me so I could knock him out, but that works too. Nice swing Wakko".

Wakko grinned, "Well didn't want you to get shot or anything, but now what?"

Claire grinned and tied Buddy's hands behind his back, "We take him to the studio and allow the police to collect him there".

"That almost seemed too easy" Dot responded.

Claire nodded, "Yeah it was, guess we'll just have to see where it goes from here. Dot get the phone out of my bag and call the first speed dial."

"You had a phone!?" Wakko asked.

Claire sighed, "It's a crappy pre-paid one and only has enough on it to make one call, so that's why this one counts."

"Right" Dot nodded and quickly did as she was told.

"Hello?" the voice of Scratchy asked.

Dot was elated, "Scratchy! We got him!"

"Dot?! Oh it's so good to hear your voice, ya. But did you say you caught him!?" Scratchy asked in shock.

"Yeah, Claire and Wakko have him restrained now! We're at the soup kitchen on Northwest Drive, can you come get us?" Dot asked sweetly.

"Ya! Just stay there and I'll be there in about uh 20 minutes or so." Scratchy responded and hung up.

"And?" Wakko asked.

"20 minutes" Dot smiled.

Claire sighed in relief, "Good, until then we just have to keep this nut job out cold."

"That doesn't sound too hard" Wakko blinked.

Claire shrugged, "It shouldn't be as long as we keep him knocked out. In the meantime, why don't you and Dot finish your breakfast?"

"I'm not sure if I can even eat now" Dot admitted, "We finally caught one of his murders!"

"She's right though, besides I can't wait to have real food, and then share it with the rest of the people who are less fortunate. This whole idea has really been an eye opener." Wakko admitted.

"Oh?" Claire asked.

"All these people keep suffering and have nowhere to call home. When we get back and get this all settled, I'm going to do what I can to ensure that no one has to live on the streets, or at least ensure they have essentials they need. Yakko always did tell us to look out for others and help those who were less fortunate." Wakko smiled, "And that's what we'll do."

Dot smiled, "You know Wakko you've really changed since all of this started. I'm sure Yakko would be really proud of you."

"I'm the oldest now, and I have to be a good older brother to my sweet little sister" Wakko teased.

Dot just laughed and soon Wakko followed suit. The moment died as soon as Scratchy walked through the doors and relief washed over the young Warners. Claire got up and dragged the unconscious Buddy towards the car, now Wakko and Dot could get the answers they so desperately wanted. Until Buddy would take Claire would remain at their sides as comfort. When the time came though, she knew they would have to face this demon on their own.

-End-