Loonatics Unleashed:

"Faux Hunt" part 3

(This story is prior to "The Music Villain.")

Rated T for reading level.

Disclaimer: Loonatics Unleashed and related Characters and Elements are trademarks of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

"Why? I'll-tell-you-why!" Rev snapped, obstinately refusing to look at his friend. "I-come-into-the-lab-this-morning-to-help-my-'best-bud'-with-the-neuron-net-ionizer-like-you-asked-only-to-find-you-pouring-over-your-latest-plans-at-the-work-desk. When-I-come-to-look-what-do-I-find-but-a-crude,-old-style-set-of-blueprints-sketched-with-some-sort-of-twirling-mace-contraption-looking-thing. Okay,-fine,-so-you-have-poor-taste-in-art,-but-the-real-problem-was-the-lines-and-arrows-pointing-to-a-sketch-of-a-roadrunner-labeled-'RR'-getting-caught-in-it-and-the-sketched-coyote-labeled-'ME'-with-the-words-'YUM, YUM'-scrawled-across-the-bottom!"

"But, but, but I didn't make that! It's just a family heirloom." Tech stammered. He realized now that what he'd thought was Rev adopting a roll play for the test was actually the quickster trying to confront him about the ancient blueprints. The genius looked to the rest of the Loonatics for support, but found only shocked disbelief on his teammates' faces. He'd only been looking over his great, great, great grandfather's blueprints while waiting for Rev to show up for the weapon test. He'd planned on showing it to Rev thinking that the roadrunner would get a kick out of it knowing how their two ancestors were always trying to outsmart each other. "The handwriting isn't even mine. Didn't you notice the initials W.E.C in the corner?"

"Not. Good. Enough!" Actually, Rev hadn't noticed the initials; he'd been too upset at the thought of Tech making him prey. True, Tech always labeled his work with T.E.C. but that still didn't excuse the coyote genius improving on an ancient design of his ancestor. "So-what? Just-because-your-grandma-or-someone-sent-it-to-you-doesn't-mean-it's-okay-for-you-to-take-up-the-family-hobby! I-am-sick-and-tired-of-you-dissing-me-with-your-stupid-inventions! When-you-found-that-you-could-never-win-an-argument-against-me,-you-started-making-inventions-to-the-job-for-you. You're-nothing-but-a-selfish,-arrogant . . .."

As Rev's rant continued, Tech thought over his family inventiveness. Wyle E.'s inventions were all designed to catch roadrunners, or at least one roadrunner in particular, and all of the old coyote's inventions backfired horribly. Fuses delayed firing, arc's recalculated, steel spring's tensile strength readjusted. The list of malfunctions went on and on. Through studying old family movies and handed down blueprints, one could verify that the science was sound. In time, a startling truth became evident; the Merry Melody universe held a grudge against against predators. Tech sneaked another glance up at his irate friend. The roadrunner's feathers were mussed and his uniform scorched. Rev definitely looked worse for the wear after their little debugging escapade. Perhaps stated more accurately, the universe held a grudge against aggressors. Over the generations, the Coyote family rout came to learn that their inventions worked properly only when they did not directly benefit themselves. In consequence, the Coyotes turned their inventive genius to the benefit of their fellow beings.

But then, what had changed? Tech thought about his anti-Rev computer software, his Rev cage set up in the lab, and his palm-sized beak taper. Rev wasn't the only friend he'd used his inventions against either, he'd even made his pizza server to double as a Slam muzzle. These were only relatively minor examples of 'selfish' inventing, but they held milestone significance. A chill ran through the coyote. Automatically, Tech's fingers reached through the restricting electronet to close Rev's beak to allow a moment's quite for his thoughts to settle.

Rev slapped Tech's hand away. "DON'T-clamp-my-beak-shut!"

Tech stopped struggling against the electronet. His long coyote ears drooped and his head sank. Is that what he'd done? Is this what he had become? Selfish and arrogant. None in his family had ever turned bad . . . unless you count trying to catch a roadrunner dinner as bad; but they were rarely, if ever, successful in that. But was that altruism or simply because their inventions didn't work otherwise? Now it appeared there was a change. If Coyote inventions worked regardless of intent of design, where would be the family's salvation? He didn't want to be a villain! . . . still that was the true measure of honor was it not? The choice to do well by others . . . and not being compelled into it. But how had he been treating his friends, even his best friend? Brilliance had long run in the family, but wisdom was a long time in coming. And right now he felt more foolish than his progenitor, Wyle E. Coyote. Tech spoke quietly. "Okay, Rev. Whatever you say."

Rev relented when he saw the wide, haunted eyes of his best friend. A friend that was as close to him as his own brother. It softened him . . . like he had softened Tech so many times before. Man, no wonder Tech never stayed mad at him no matter how many times he blew up the coyote. Those big, sad puppy dog eyes were killers. The roadster sighed, finding on Tech's face a devastation he'd only come close to seeing when one of the coyote's precious inventions were destroyed . . . only this was worse. And if he was honest with himself, it was probably his constant jabs at the coyote that had brought on much of this conflict.

Rev clicked off the electronet and offered Tech his hand to help him up. They stood there with their hands clasped. The coyote didn't meet the Runner's gaze, but kept his eyes fixed on the scorched red, inverted triangle of his friend's Loonatic uniform. He'd never been good with anything not technology related . . . never good with anything outside of the lab. Apparently that went as far as his friendships as well. The genius thought briefly on his small stash of specially made, handcrafted 'Rev deterrent' inventions. "Look, Rev, I . . . I'm sorry. I didn't mean to use my inventions as a means to belittle you."

"Yeah,-you-did. But-that's-okay. I'm-just-sorry . . .." Rev's rapid speech stalled. He was forcefully reminded of when he and his little brother Rip reconciled back during that whole 'Family Business' mess. His wide, roadrunner eyes narrowed and he cocked his head as he studied his old friend in a new light. Tech didn't have a cocks comb to ruffle, but Rev threw his arm around the coyote's shoulders in a brotherly embrace while taking a knuckle rub with his other fist to the genius' head. "Ah,-forget-about-it,-L'il-Bro."

"Little Brother?!" Tech pulled back . . . or at least he tried to. Rev held him him tight, refusing to release him; not that the coyote struggled all that hard to escape. Suddenly Tech felt awkward as, emotionally, he felt Rev pull ahead. Being so smart, the coyote had naturally always seemed the older, but actual number of years never really mattered! Even when in school, though Tech was the youngest in his class due to advanced placement, his genius had given him intellectual advantage; even if it stunted him socially.

"Yeah. I'm-taller-than-you,-so-I-get-to-be-the-big-brother," Rev stated matter-of-factly. Though he was firstborn in his family, Rev had always been the 'kid brother' of the Loonatics. Now he was reclaiming his place.

"Oh, yeah? Only if you stretch! All your height is in your long, scrawny neck!" Though privately glad to have someone to turn to for support in his new ventures on 'getting out of the lab,' Tech couldn't give in without a fight. It would mean a shift in their friendship and he wasn't sure that he was ready. "Besides, I out-mass you."

As they argued, Rev and Tech gathered the scattered remains of the jetpack, cleaning up the mess they made while 'testing and refining' the new weapon. Tech magnetically gathered the briefing table chairs that broke loose in their 'test run.' While the inventor held them in place, Rev dashed around, tightening the bolts until all the chairs were firmly re-secured. The rest of the team breathed a sigh of relief. The two really did work well together. Though Danger did wonder what he would do for entertainment now when Misty Breeze wasn't on.

"I-can-out-talk-you," Rev continued as they worked.

"Out annoy, you mean," Tech countered.

Ace stood, feet braced, arms folded across his chest, and tapping the fingers of one hand on the opposite arm. The leader of the Loonatics exchanged a glance with Lexi. Even when the coyote and roadrunner agreed with each other they still argued!

"Oh,-yeah? Well,-at-least-I-can-attend-a-social-event-without-taking-my-palmtop-computer-along-with-me-for-company." Rev had a quick, sharp beak and a sharper wit to go with it.

Tech rumbled a warning growl as his irritation mounted again. Feeling himself becoming defensive at Rev's accusation, Tech took a deep breath forcing calm. Then he chuckled. He had to concede . . . it was true after all. When it came to intellect, he couldn't be beat. But when it came to just about anything else . . . well, he really was the new kid on the block. "Okay, okay already. You win. You can be the big brother . . .."

Slam grunted. Finally! But Danger just shook his head, sincerely doubting that it could be that easy.

Rev's self satisfied smirk when he realized that he finally won lasted only until Tech finished his sentence. Renewed annoyance etched the roadrunner's face.

". . . but I'm still smarter."

"All right, dat's enough!" Rev and Tech stopped their banter as they saw four pair of eyes, each set glowing with their teammates' signature colors, glaring at them. "Youse two stop yer arguing right now or we're gonna stop it for ya."

Tech stepped behind Rev's slight frame, willing to let his new 'big brother' handle the confrontation. Rev scowled.

"Who's arguing?"

A/N In the final three episodes, "The Music Villain," "The Fall of Blanc," and "In Search of Tweetums," Rev and Tech have almost completely lost their rivalry that was so prevalent in the 2nd season. In fact, the role reversal between them shows up quite clearly every time Rev puts his hand on Tech's shoulder in these episodes. This fanfic attempted to explain how/ why this happened.

Another A/N Due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm going off-line for a while. I don't know when I'll be back again. It's been virtual. Thanks.

END