A/N:

Okay so I promised something would happen in this chapter and by goodfeather's I tried my best to make it so, lol XD Thanks again for all the reviews, and I'll look forward to seeing more.

Oh and I know there's a lot of speculation about Yakko having a 'thing' for Talia, and it's along the same lines as 'does Wakko have a thing for Poppy'? Well, let me sec the record straight, again… I personally don't have a set relationship plan for the characters, I write them how they are and if you as a reader ship a certain pair or think that one may like the other then by all means you're allowed to think that. You're readers who have their own opinions and I love hearing them. So do I ship any characters? Not really. Do I plan to pair anyone up? Maybe in the future but right now I like them as they are. Am I trying to make you feel like you should support a couple? Hell, no, you're readers I'm not going to tell you what to think that's demeaning to you! So by all means, think what you like and I'll be glad to listen, but I'm not trying to steer anyone towards anything XD

And a shout out to 'MusicGeek764 for giving this story it's 100th review! Yay XD

*Jack's POV*

There's got to be an easier way to climb this tower. I suppose it would be easier if I had the extra surge of energy that the toon side of me used to give… but I couldn't stay that way. I'd taken the oil that morning and although the guilt was eating at me, it had to be done. And so, I pushed it to the back of my mind and blamed it on the sleepless night of worrying and endless planning with security. The members of security who knew about the toon situation stationed around the boarders of the toon lot, and some deeper inside closer to the town. I placed a few around the base of the tower for good measure. On a normal basis people would say I'm being over paranoid, but given the situation I'd say I was in my rights.

And this morning was none different. I'd been alerted that R.J had been spotted around the studio grounds last night, but they couldn't get a firm sighting on him long enough to catch up to him. And they daren't stray from their stations for long in fear that he might circle around. But they were out of luck. I appreciated the knowledge though, and I'm sure that the others would too. Well, they'd like to be in the loop, they'd hate what I had to say. I wasn't exactly pleased with it either. Who would be?

I knocked on the Water Tower door and waited, hearing a muffled racked from inside as a struggle of who got to answer the call broke out. I waited as patiently as I could under the circumstances, but I'd rather get this done. They needed to be made aware. Finally, the shield-shaped door opened a tiny slither, letting enough room for three familiar, mischievous faces peeked around the side of it.

"Yes?" the Warner's sang.

"Hi." I offered, "Listen I need to tell all of you something and it's urgent."

"Something to tell, huh?" Dot asked, batting her eyelids.

"It's urgent too." Wakko agreed.

The eldest rolled his eyes, "Because we haven't had enough of that recently…"

I had to agree with the sarcasm, "Can I come in? I'd rather tell all of you inside."

"Hmm, that depends." Wakko shrugged.

"On what?"

"What's what?" Dot smirked.

"What does me coming in depend on?"

"Now that's a good question, Jar-Head, come back when we've got an answer for ya, okay?"

"Guys," I pleaded, "Any other day, I'd be happy to play this game but right now I really need to talk to you."

"You are talking to us."

"Yes, Wakko, I am, but I meant all of you."

"Just me and the sibs here, Jar-Head."

Dot seemed to take pity and lowered her voice to a whisper, "Be specific, it saves time."

Okay, I will… "Would the three of you please open this door and let me inside of the Water Tower so that I can tell the three of you and Talia, Flynn and Poppy something very important?"

They looked at each other, cunning expressions pulling at their smiles. Was that specific enough? Apparently so because the next thing I knew the door had opened and they'd stepped aside to let me in. I can't remember the last time I'd been up here. Maybe once for twice to inform the trio that they had an appointment with Scratchansniff and they weren't answering the phone, most likely another fight over the thing. But my visits were always short, not by choice but it just seemed the norm.

I looked around and found Flynn and Poppy sitting at a dinner table, half-finished with their breakfast which the Warner's quickly returned to. Talia stepped from the kitchen and eyed me suspiciously. Instantly I felt guilty. She had full reason to give me that look, in more ways than one. I didn't blame her, it seemed every time we spoke it was either me giving bad news or her accusing me of something that most of the time I was guilty of. Not always my fault but most of the time, sure. It's times like these that I figured I needed to get my act together.

"What's the urgent information then?" she asked curtly.

She wasn't comfortable with me there, it didn't take a genius to see that, "Security saw R.J on studio grounds last night."

"And they caught him, right?" Poppy asked hopefully.

I gave an apologetic smile, "We've nearly got him."

Although she gave a small nod of understanding, her brother flashed me a darkened look of uncertainty. Wakko shrugged, shovelling another mouthful of food into his mouth, "So no changes since yesterday."

"Maybe you should take another look at the word urgent." Dot suggested in a, what I presumed, sweet tone, "Just saying."

Talia nodded her understanding to me, "Well… Thanks for telling us anyway."

She thanked me? She must be stressed, well no wonder obviously, "But if we're getting sightings of his so soon, then he's careless. He's got nothing to back him up this time."

"Unless that's what he wants us to think." She muttered.

"And the award for deserved paranoia goes to…" Yakko announced at her side.

"Hey!" she objected, forcing a joking demeanour for the others' sake.

"What?" he challenged, "I said deserved didn't I?"

He had a point, "I can't stay long, I've got to arrange the next shifts for security and the like." I said, not really wanting to leave just yet, "I just thought you should know."

"Trying to make up for lost time?" she asked.

I guess, but I wouldn't admit it, "I'll come back later with any news I get."

"Sure." Talia replied quietly, brow furrowed in thought, "Thanks again…"

*Yakko's POV*

Jar-Head left and as soon as I heard his heavy step going down the ladder I rolled my eyes jokingly, "Sure no problem, just invite yourself back into someone else's home when you feel like it! How d'ya like that?"

"You're one to talk." Kiddo commented.

She had a point, "But when we do it, it's with a charming style of humour that you love and can't help but wish for more of, and who are we to deny?"

"Keep telling yourself that." Slugger mumbled teasingly.

"I do." Red grinned. Not sure if she missed the joke, or she got it and added her own take on it? Well she's been around us long enough so I'll give the benefit of the doubt and say she's taking on her own style, "So they nearly got R.J, why aren't we happier about that again?"

Ah, I forget she's still just a kid. Sharp as a tack, but still just a kid. I smirked and put a hand to my head for effect, "Maybe because it's too early to think about serious stuff; to earlier without nearly enough breakfast come to think of it."

That seemed to distract them, but not for long, Slugger poked his food but wasn't eating, "It's okay seeing the guy, but why bother telling us that? We've all seen him."

"Would you rather him not tell us and have more secrets?" kiddo challenged.

"No but… Still…"

"Oh we'll get there in the end." Dot scoffed, "Always do!"

"And when we do, we'll get him for good." Wakko nodded with a glimmer of slyness that I couldn't help but take credit for, "Or Pops will anyways."

Ah that little nickname, gets me every time. But I didn't get the reference to a kid like her getting a guy like R.J. Forget David and Goliath, more like Selena Gomez to Jackie Chan. Chan being dangerous when he needed to be, but made terrible choices in age. Come on, take one look at the Spy Next Door and tell me I'm wrong! But as if reading my mind, and kiddo's by the look of it, Red reached into her pocket, which she figured a while ago was her hammerspace, and pulled out something wooden, and blunt. With a grin, she held it out proudly, and so she should. That was some nifty work right there. I'm mean, all three had figured out a hammerspace and how to toon things up, but this was some pretty good stuff for a beginner.

"Poppy, is that a mallet?" Kiddo asked, dreading the obvious answer.

"Yep, Wakko showed me how to toon one up. And look, Dot taught me this!"

The thing must have been a little heavy for her because when she raised it up behind her head, she stumbled back a little. And the force of slamming the thing forward into the ground made her jump into the air a little. The room shook with the force and a large crack sprang in the floor, travelling along up the wall and onto the ceiling. The line split and rejoined again, forming a small circle. The part of the cracked roof fell, a fist-sized lump of plaster tumbling and bouncing off of Sluggers head. Although it didn't hurt him, he still rubbed the dust from his hair and shot a warning glare at his little sis.

"Hey, she's learning!" I applauded.

"Tal! You saw that right?" he grumbled.

Kiddo sighed and counted warnings on her fingers, "Don't tease your brother, don't go in your brothers room, don't take your brothers things without asking…" she gave up, "I honestly never thought Don't use a mallet on your brother was ever going to be something to come up."

"Next thing on the Little Sister's Guide to Brothers," Dot announced, sneaking up behind Wakko, "Is dust-could fighting!"

Just like that, she pounced on our sib, catching him off guard. And true to our nature, the cloud of dust swarmed them, fists and kicks emerging every now and again over the yells of outrage. They tumbled across the floor, bumping into Sluggers chair, grabbing his leg and yanking him right off of his seat and into the middle of the struggle. Red giggled, actually jumping head first into the fight!

Getting an expectant look from kiddo, I held out my palms defensively, "Okay, okay, I'll fix it." I side-stepped to the ever-growing cloud of child-friendly violence and dared to reach into it, hoping to grab a tail or a neck of a shirt to hoist apart, "Break it up!"

Tables turn quickly in these parts, because next thing I knew I had four hands clenching around my wrists and dragging me into the mess. Well, at times like this, there's only one way to restore order… I made a lunge out of the cloud, nabbed kiddo's ankle before she could make a run for it, and hoisted her into the fun too. Well, we can't leave anybody out now can we? That'd be unfair and mean. And as we all know, a Warner isn't one to leave anyone out. Hehe…

Time jump! Get used to these, there's gonna be a few over time. Ha, time, see what I did there? Ah never mind. It was getting late and as much as we'd tried to carry on with our usual day, but lets face it, when kiddo's nervous, it's hard to get more than two words out of her. Sure she wasn't as bad as she normally was, and that play fight managed to get a few laughs out of her. And if we can't get someone laughing, then they're beyond help. Or we're not trying hard enough but let's face it, that rarely happens.

Everyone was sound asleep at the moment. Kiddo had been 'made' to sing a bit of that My Wish song by Rickit Flow or Rascal Flatts or whatever it's called for Red and then headed to sleep herself. It was quiet and as much as silence isn't a big fan of mine, at times like this I let it slide. Frankly I had been sleeping too, but something didn't feel quite right around here and it woke me up. Can't put my finger on it; it was like being watched and yet nothing being there to watch me. Sibs were snoozing, sub-sibs were tucked in, it all seemed pretty normal. But I know when we're being watched and right now we had an audience.

I slipped out of bed and tiptoed across the room, best sneak pose at the ready until I was right at the front door, easing it open and stepping out onto the balcony. It was darker than a Christina Ricci movie stereotype outside, but as cliché would have it, the sky was clear so parts of the studio were somewhat visible. Below I could see some of R.J's future welcoming committee were standing around the tower base and I've gotta say, I had little faith in them. No offence guys, but from personal experience and other times in the past, maybe decreasing your pay might be a bit of a motivator.

There was a light off in the distance blinking on and off, it wants my attention apparently. Well, who was I to ignore someone pulling such a basic and mediocre trick? I leant over the edge of the bar and jumped, pulling a cord attached to a backpack that I'd tooned up and let the parachute glide. It didn't take much to guide it over to the light and drop down Keaton-style and found the light had blinked out. And who had been holding it? Oh come on, you've been around long enough you know what's coming. R.J, go fig.

"Nice of you to make it."

I shrugged, "Anything for a fan." Oh he didn't like that one, "So anything you'd like to share, or can I go and get some more shut eye?" That's the thing with this guy, if you act like his showing up doesn't bother you then he's lost a point. Too bad for him I don't have to act.

"I have a proposition for you."

There's a shocker, "I thought you were still waiting on your last offer, remember, you'd let us roam free if we got info on the little cover up back there? No? Hmm, well they say the mind is the first to go in old age; and that went a long time ago in your case."

"You think I'm insane?" he asked calmly, challenging me apparently.

"You want to take a vote and risk finding out?" I scoffed and thumbed over my shoulder coolly, "Beat is grease-ball, you're causing an oil-slick."

"Now, now, no need for that. Are we going to be civilised about this?"

He's kidding, right? He was lucky a smart-mouth was all he was getting right now. "There's a trick question in that, I'm sure."

"You abominations are all the same, no respect for those who deserve it."

"Not this abomination." I pointed to myself, "Too bad I don't see anyone who fits that description around here." Well I was awake, may as well humour the guy, "Okay, I'm listening, what's your offer?"

R.J gave a sneer, "Good. I'm aware that out previous deal still stands." Awe how cute, he thinks we're listening to him, "However, I understand that you have no intention of telling me what you know about the origins of this town, but you don't need to." I arched an eyebrow questioningly, did that mean he finally figured it out about the Dadoo's? "Oh don't give me that look, I'm beyond caring about past events when it's the future that counts."

"Truly inspirational." I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"You see, if there's something I've noticed about you mutations, is that your curiosity can never be satisfied. So if I was to say, oh I don't know, that I already have a plan in motion not far from here, then what would your next question be?"

"Can I go now?" I smirked, but ended up sighing, "Okay, I'll bite." I put on my most innocent voice and widened my eyes just for the look more than anything, "Oh no, what terrible plan is in motion? Where is this plan set? And why must you impersonate a batman villain?"

Why was he ignoring these jokes, talk about selective hearing. Really, I wasn't that interested, if he wanted to go off and play then let him, but I know that everyone else would have a fit if I missed out on an opportunity like this. And okay I'll admit it, I wouldn't be too happy either if I didn't get something out of this little exchange. So I waited for him to show that usual glimmer of anger before composing himself and moving on.

"My point being, you won't stop until you have me locked up once more."

"Hey, we have something in common! Look at this, we're bonding."

He shook his head slightly, turning away from me, "Clearly I'm talking to the wrong mutation, what I have to say is clearly too much for your mind to handle."

"Uh, come again?"

"No need to take offence, it seems that nothing of what I have said at any point in time has ever truly been understood. Shame, I thought those little moments in the studio back in the day really set the rules across."

Now that was going a little too far there. Those times in the studio, the ones he'd made us forget when we started asking questions about stopping aging. Now that was back in the day. And the thought of it kinda made my eyes narrow. I'd say my blood boil but that's hypocritical since I don't have any. But it was enough. My sibs, don't touch.

"Try saying that again."

He paused, "Are you listening now?"

"Loud and clear, just like you taught us." I scoffed.

"Good." R.J turned back to face me, "I understand that there are a lot of questions that you'd like answered. And by all means, I'm willing to answer them. Of course, current settings aren't exactly ideal. My offer is this; in the near future come and find me and I'll tell you all you wish to know."

"Why is it just me that gets such a charming offer? And why not now? Got something cooking in the oven?"

"Something like that." He smirked, "I'm talking to you because, let's face it, Miss. Nolan has such a temper…"

"Why do you think we get along so well?" I challenged, "Don't think I won't go black-out on you."

"I don't doubt it, but it's not your nature as of yet." Passive as always, "And I'm not telling you now because…" he paused, and as he did so, the sounds of security started getting closer. Oh right, shift change, "… of that."

"Well I'm deducting points for time management." I muttered, "So where's this secret place set out then. I'm just sooo intrigued…"

"You know it. It's not that hard to figure out. We've both been there before."

"Care to elaborate?"

"It wasn't that long ago we were there, and what a temper Miss. Nolan had."

Again with the riddles? Seriously what was going on in this guys head? Okay, you know what, I'm done with this., "Be honest, you don't have a clue what you're doing do you?"

"I think you know me well enough to know that's not true at all."

I was disgusted to even know him just as I was disgusted to know what Brony is, "Then why not just get it over with? What exactly are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for all my loose ends to tie up first." He shrugged.

"And they are?"

At that, he let a sneer mock me, "Keep looking for me; and then you'll find out."

He turned again as the voices of the guards got louder, and as if he was working with the shadows, he vanished. Following suite, I ducked down as the security trooped past and proved my point that they could do better with their jobs.

I shook my head and allowed myself a small smile, "Okay, R.J, I'll play ball, you're in my court after all…"

A/N:

Damn it R.J and your mind games! So, will Yakko go off alone again and give into the trickery? Who knows? Until next time XD