CHAPTER 7: THE STORY BEGINS

Standing in the darkness, Yakko could see the torchlight illuminating the large canvas painting of his family. He could just make out a little Warner kneeling beside it, gently touching the surface. His attention seemed to be on the younger version of Yakko. Particularly, his pocket. At that point Yakko knew exactly what was puzzling his brother. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small gold key.

'Looking for this?'

Wakko jumped and turned quickly towards the darkness. Although he recognised his brothers concerned tone of voice, it still startled him. Approaching Wakko, Yakko outstretched his hand with the key placed in the centre of his palm. Kneeling beside him, he ushered.

'Take it.' Yakko insisted. 'I know how desperate you are to know what it's hiding.' Wakko remained silent. Hesitantly, he reached towards his brother's hand and gently lifted the key. It was heavier than it looked.

'Is it real gold?' Wakko enquired, inspecting the key closely. 'Normally keys don't weigh this much.'

'I believe so. Yeah.'

The silence fell again. For a solid 2 minutes Wakko fumbled with the key as Yakko twiddled his thumbs.

'I know why you did it.'

'Huh?'

'I know why you kept it a secret. I think I understand. I can't remember what happened then so I don't know what you went through but what I do know is that you've never steered me or Dot wrong before. And you always do what you think is best. So...I get it.'

Yakko was taken aback. Wakko was truly growing up. Even his choice of words was more mature than Yakko ever took him for.

'You're sure I can?' Wakko asked.

'Of course. It's time you knew the truth. In fact, why don't we wait for Dot. I'd like you both to open it.'

Wakko smiled, holding the key as tightly as he could, as if the truth was going to be snatched from him again. The two brothers turned to look back at the painting, back at their smaller versions smiling profusely.

'It's a shame you don't really remember them.'

Wakko turned to his brother who was staring thoughtfully at the figure of their mother and then over to their father. He could see in Yakko's eyes that the mere sight of their parents still hurt. This made Wakko feel guilty for being so harsh in Dr Scratchinsniff's office. His brother had clearly been through so much and for him just to blindly start yelling at him without hearing him out...he felt awful. With the key still in hand, Wakko clenched his fists in an attempt to fight back the tears. However, his efforts were not enough and a few short breathless sniffles escaped.

'Wakko?' Yakko knelt in front of his brother who had now lowered his head. With no warning, Wakko sharply wrapped his arms around his brother's neck and held on as tightly as he could. He then began to sob.

'I'm s-s-sorry Yakko! I'm sorry! I d-didn't mean to yell at you! I didn't e-even listen to what you h-had to say! You've always done s-so much for me and Dot and I-I never ever thanked you for it! I'm so s-sorry! I'm a t-terrible brother!'

'Wakko...' Yakko removed Wakko's red cap and gave his head a ruffle. Holding him close, Yakko could feel Wakko's sharp breaths against his shoulder.

'You've always been the emotional one.' He laughed, trying to lighten the mood. It worked. His brother let out a small giggle and stood back, wiping his tears away.

'Seeing you smile is all thanks I need. Ok?' Wakko nodded and, despite still having tears rolling down his cheeks, gave his brother a satisfied smile.

'YAKKO! Did you find him!?' Dot burst through the door with such brute force. Yakko was stunned at his tiny, baby sister's strength. She walked over to her brother's carrying the torch that Yakko had asked her to bring and the book.

'Oh good! So you did find him! And judging by the smiles you two have made up?' Both brothers nodded in agreement. Dot smiled and approached them.

SMACK!

'OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?' Wakko exclaimed as he stumbled to the ground. Dot towered over him with a face of fury.

'THAT was for running away and giving us a HEARTATTACK!' She retorted, clenching her flashlight filled fist in front of this face. 'Don't you ever do that again.' She retracted.

'Ok, now that you're both here, Wakko...?' Yakko gestured towards the chest on the other side of the room. 'Go, both of you, and look inside.'

'Wait, what's going on? Look inside what?' Wakko showed his sister the key. Stunned at its gold shimmering form, she carefully picked it up and gave it a closer inspection.

'The key opens the chest over there. Apparently there's something in there that Yakko wants us to see. We were waiting for you to come before we opened it.'

Buzzing with anticipation, Dot clenched the key as tightly as her little gloved hand could. Dropping the book, which she had supported under her arm, she poised the flashlight she was instructed to bring towards the apparent location of this mystery chest.

'Well what are we waiting for!? Let's go!' He hurried across the room, somehow avoiding the darkened obstacles in her way by jumping over them. Wakko had to admire his sister for her dexterity. He also speculated at the possibility of Dot having some form of night vision. Regardless, he stood up from his kneeled position and joined her in excitement. Yakko compared this scene to Christmas morning, like this chest and the truth inside was a direct gift from the big man, Santa Clause. He worried that his siblings would be disappointed with the contents. It wasn't like Christmas where they would get toys galore, the contents of the chest was of more sentimental value than money.

Wakko did not have as much dexterity as his younger sister. Tripping over every prop that stood in his way, he eventually joined Dot by the chest, after a cascade of 'ouch's' and 'yelp's'. Both siblings inspected the chest. Wakko lifted the emblem he had seen earlier to reveal a small keyhole, perfectly sized for the small golden one. Dot inserted the key and gave it a slow turn.

CLICK.

Both Warners let out a small gasp. They were in. It was then that Yakko joined them. Dot placed her hands on the bronze lid and attempted to lift it but it was clearly too heavy. Wakko was the second to attempt, managing to lift the lid slightly then dropping it closed again. He was lucky not to have trapped his fingers. Yakko removed the key from the hole and lifted the lid.

Dot dove in with her torch and began to feel about. The first thing she took hold of was a small baby pacifier. It was pink and shimmered as if it was covered in diamonds. It wasn't of course but it sparkled so much. In gold, a small tiara was engraved on the back surface. This must have been hers.

Wakko leaned forward and began to rummage as Yakko idly watched. A small white rabbit with a slightly chewed off ear lay in the far corner. Wakko lifted it. It was so soft to touch and he felt an instant connection to this inanimate object. Tucking it into his blue jumper pocket, he continued.

The remainder of the chest was filled with fabrics, pink and blue in colour. Both Warners, simultaneously took hold of each colour and held them up. Dot and Wakko looked upon the small baby sleep suit and blanket they were holding. Similar to the pacifier, Dot's were pastel pink with small golden tiaras and, similar to the rabbit, Wakko's were pastel blue with small white rabbits in different poses. They looked at their brother in awe.

'That's what you arrived here with. You were both wearing the sleep suits and clutching at your blankets.'

'They're so...small.' Dot held hers up against her to compare the size. 'I didn't think I could have been any smaller than I am now but geez.'

'Uhm...' Wakko couldn't help but feel odd. There was something off. Yakko could sense this.

'Wakko? You ok?'

'Where's...your stuff? The stuff you came with?' Yakko looked to his brother, surprised, and gave a saddened smile.

'I...uh...couldn't bring much...' He began. 'When we left, my arms were, shall we say, already occupied.' Yakko kneeled by the chest beside his younger brother. 'You were both so small. Dot, you couldn't even crawl yet, let alone walk. And Wakko, you'd just started to toddle. I had to carry you both otherwise there was no shot of all of us making it out alive.'

Wakko and Dot hadn't yet considered the severity of the situation they were in years ago. That single word 'alive' emphasized that there was potentiality of death in the mix. That single word sent shivers down their spines.

'I brought everything I needed…I brought you both, alive. And to me, that was the most important.'

Wakko and Dot looked to each other and then down at the blankets, sleepsuits and personal belongings that they had brought with them the day they fled. These were memories of home. They had a different feel to the fabrics used for the studio costumes and they smelled different. Like summer orchids, or roses, or daffodils or some kind of sweet floral scent.

'Yakko…?' Wakko twidled with the blanket. 'Could you…tell us about it? About what happened? And how we got here?'

Dot didn't say a word but merely looked at Wakko and then to Yakko, awaiting his reply. She, too, was very interested in hearing this story.

'Sure.' Yakko was a tad reluctant to relive the memories but, for his siblings, he was willing to share his heart-wrenching experiences. He asked Dot for her flashlight and she happily passed it to him.

'Come on over.' He began to make his way back to the large family portrait, picking up the book on his way there. He sat with his back leaning onto the painting and crossed his legs, perching the book on top. Bringing their blankets with them, Wakko and Dot went to join their brother. They sat to either side of him and waiting for him to begin.

Yakko opened the book at the first page and they were, once again, greeted by the smaller family portrait.

'So I don't believe there is much else to say about this one. There's the three of us and there's mum and there's dad.' He began by pointing out each individual in the painting.

'What were they like?' Dot quietly asked.

'Hm?'

'Mum and dad. What were they like?'

'Mum was…sweet, loving, kind. The townspeople loved her to bits. She was always out planting rose bushes and she had a love for apple trees. At night she would sit with all three of us by the fire and read to us. Then she would take us up to bed and sing us all to sleep. I can still remember the words…I think. It was something like…Sleep, sleep gentle child. She played piano, in fact she taught me a bit. And then I taught you both as you got older. She was quite clumsy at times, and forgetful. Quite like you Wakko!' Yakko chortled as he made the comparison between his mother and younger brother. Wakko tried to looked irritated and annoyed but, in reality, he found it quite funny. 'She was beautiful, loved dressing up and making an effort with her appearance. Very similar to you Dot.' Dot giggled.

'It sounds like she was amazing.' Dot sighed.

'Dad was very different from mum in the sense that he was one of the strongest men in our kingdom. He wasn't just a king, he was the leader of armies and inspired so many people to fight for what was right. He was big fan of justice and fairness for all. In fact, he always reminded me a little bit of King Arthur. He used to say that me and Wakko would be his knights of the round table when we were older. And he was beside himself when Dot was born. You were daddy's little princess. Despite having such a busy schedule, dad always had time for us. He was so loving but he also knew how to sword fight and protected our family and our whole kingdom against all kinds of treachery…until the very end.'

'Wow…'Wakko stared at the father figure in the picture with such awe. His dad was a hero.

'But let's start at the beginning…back before everything went to chaos and ruin.'

The three Warners snuggled up together and Yakko began his tale.