Reality Check 3: Technicolor Chapter 20: A Safe Sense of Unease, an animaniacs fanfic

A/N:

Hello everyone! I'm so sorry for the really long wait! I had loads of coursework to get done and then I fell into a bit of a dark place emotionally but I'm all good and I'm happy again and here's a chapter for you to say sorry! I won't leave you hanging like that again… maybe… (evil laughter) XD

Anywho, the first part of this chapter is a kind of song-fic. The song is called 'Stormy' by Hedley. I highly recommend listening to it at some point because it seems to fit Jack and Talia perfectly and plus it's one of my favourite songs at the moment. Hope you like it! Sorry again, and read on!

*Jack's POV*

If there was one thing that the woods of the toon lot were good for, it was wondering in thought. I passed the bottle of the oil over in my hands and hated its very existence. No I didn't regret taking it because it just felt right at the time. And I understand that there shouldn't have been keeping it a secret like that. I should have learnt my lesson by now. But although the guilt from going back on a promise was eating at me, I didn't feel guilt about the act itself. Like Talia said, it was my choice and my life. I was happy that she understood that. I'm not an idiot I knew that she was upset and a little angry with me but the fact was that she understood why I did it. And yet…

Wind blow, rain fall, we've faced it all, there's still some use in trying… Hands up, heads down, baby if you think there's no way out, somewhere the sun's still shinning… Dark skies tell no lies, like your stormy eyes, if it's cold tonight, I'm here now!

I was worrying like crazy sitting here doing nothing when they were out there doing god knows what. The security I sent were standing watch so that put my mind at ease a little, but not by much. R.J was not one to be taken lightly, I should be there with them. For once, I should have just told Talia that there was no choice in the matter. I should have gone with them. But god why did she have to be so stubborn? Not just this time, but in general. I didn't blame her, but sometimes I wish she'd just give me a real chance. And if I had a real chance, then maybe I wouldn't mess it up so much. A sound jolted me from my thoughts, making me crane my neck around to find the cause. Four shapes could just me made out rushing though the area. I recognized them, and instantly gave chase.

It's stormy out, so baby let me in! I can help I know I can, together we're never gonna fall! It's stormy now but the sun's gonna shine again, even the worst storms gotta end! We're better if we weather it all, together we're never gonna fall…

"Talia!"

The figure I was addressing halted suddenly, turning to glare at me with a mixture of worry and anger in her eyes, "Not now Jack."

"Yeah we're in the middle of a dramatic climax here." Yakko shrugged.

"Some would say…" Dot added, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Why? What happened?" I asked urgently, "Did you find R.J? Did he hurt any of you?"

Wakko scratched his head, "Which question do you want answered first?"

Talia took charge, thank god. It was clear that she was fighting back tears, but there was something darker in her eyes that she was also fighting, "He wasn't there! It was just a trick to get us away while he's free to roam around the Town and do whatever he wants!" Her eyes narrowed dangerously, "Flynn, Poppy and the others are in there."

Boom, crash all night, you scream, we fight, these words they strike like lightning… Dark skies tell no lies, like your stormy eyes, if it's cold tonight, I'm here now!

"Then let's go, now!" I urged, their panic spreading to me like wildfire.

"That's what we were doing, remember?" asked Yakko, arching an eyebrow knowingly.

Talia looked apprehensive, I understood that. She was unsure if she could trust me enough to let me help her. But after weighing up the options, she looked away and started moving again, getting us in the motion to follow, "Then let's go."

As we ran, naturally questions started burning through my mind. Some were answered as they explained their idea that R.J had twisted his words and such, but that still didn't answer the biggest question that no doubt we all had. But before I could ask it to be sure, Dot beat me to it.

"Do we even know why we're in such a rush to stop this guy?" she asked tiredly, "What exactly are we stopping again?"

"We'll find out when we get there I guess." Wakko answered, looking at his brother for guidance.

"Let's take a look-see here." Yakko commented, "A toon hater wants information on a Town full of them and is willing to let people he wants to take apart go to do that. Then he figures that he doesn't care and instead thinks it's a good idea to send us on a wild goose chase." He flashed a sly look, "Any takers?"

Apparently not. We were going into this just as blind as we were before.

Oh-oh… Yeah! It's stormy out, so baby let me in! I can help I know I can, together we're never gonna fall! It's stormy now but the sun's gonna shine again, even the worst storms gotta end! We're better if we weather it all!

The Town came into view, and so did the growing fear on Talia's face as the confusion settled in deeper. Thoughts of her siblings and friends filled her mind and that darkened look came back into her eyes. I knew what it was. That was the same look she had when she'd lost control. It was a constant battle with her. Why didn't I see that before?

"Talia."

I muttered, quiet enough for others not to hear, but loud enough that she'd hear me. Reluctantly, her turned too look at me. I ignored the smallest traces of black struggling to seep out. Trying to conjure the best combination of comfort and determination, all the while trying to hide my own anxiety, I spoke.

"We're all getting through this. I promise."

Together we're never gonna fall… It's stormy now… When you breakdown, when you can't take it all, when you're slamming your fist against the wall, thunder can sound so frightening…

*Talia's POV*

Did I believe him? What other choice did I have? And I wanted it to be true, so why the hell shouldn't it be? Sure I can't guarantee that, but I can try. I gave a nod and we carried on. Our first place to go was the café where we'd left Flynn, Poppy and the others. For a moment I was terrified that we weren't going to find the place due to the Town being as altering as the Water Tower interior, but it soon came into view and the slither of hope I held grew a little.

I didn't know what was going to happen, none of us did really. But the fact that I had them all with me was a comfort. More than a comfort. But it would be better if our numbers were bigger. Like my family and the toons. God why was I stupid enough to go along with that stupid trick of R.J's? You know what, I don't care. The point is, we know now. And it's going to be put to an end. I mean it.

We rushed inside the café and looked around to find it empty, the playground behind the same. No, please don't do this… Where the hell were they?

"Well this is a step back." Yakko muttered, scratching the back of his head.

"You think they all ran for it?" Wakko asked.

"Sure." Dot shrugged, looking a little uneasy, "Or, something else…"

I didn't want to hear that even if it was a possibility, "They've got to be here somewhere." I continued to call their names desperately, "Anyone!"

"We'll find them." Jack assured, returning from the building where he'd tried and failed to find a café employee.

"How?" I asked as the Warner's pointlessly rummaged through the shrubs around the edges of the playground. Anger heated the pit of my stomach and I struggled to keep the black from pooling into my vision, "When I find R.J… I'm going to kill that motherfu-"

A sharp smack at the back of my head jolted my senses back into the familiar clear, "Language! I have enough of that from another loudmouth."

I turned and saw a toon, a familiar one not just in the sense that I knew him from TV but also from just a few days ago. The grey fur and long ears were just two of the features I picked up on before Jack spoke, "Bugs? What're you doing here?"

"It's not like I live around these parts or anything." The rabbit rolled it's eyes good-naturedly.

"That doesn't answer anything." Dot insisted, rushing over with Wakko, but putting on her sweetest smile to soften the harshness.

"Good point." He shrugged, "Well if ya must know I kinda figured you lot would be coming back here looking for your stragglers."

What did that mean? Wakko tilted his head, "You know where the others are?"

"Sure, who'd ya think told them to scram?" he gave a knowing smirk at me and Jack, "Ya know there's a lunatic loose around these parts right?"

Jack looked sheepish, "Yeah, we uh, heard about that…"

"Where are they?" I asked eagerly.

"Come on." He smirked with a hint of comfort that I greatly appreciated, "Oh and by the way, you got something in your eye there."

I blinked rapidly, my vision clearly a little more. Looking at Jack, he nodded the 'all clear'. I wanted to see my siblings desperately, and the fact that someone had taken the time to look after them was something I'd never finish being grateful for. But, something wasn't quite right here…

"Wait, where's Yakko?" I asked, sending all of us into a series of turning heads in fruitless search.

"He was right there!" Dot moaned.

"I thought it was a little quiet around here." Bugs muttered.

For christ's sake give me strength…

*R.J's POV*

It's almost laughable how easy it is to lure one of those mutations away. I have a theory that they actually enjoy the risk. But then again, who doesn't? This entire procedure is based on risk. But it's worth it. It will be worth it. All I had to do was get them all together. But why waste the extra energy in searching for them? It's so much easier to let them come to me instead. Not to mention is so much more entertaining when they do that, because then it can't be me who's to blame for their own choices and actions.

"You know, I'm starting to think that I'm your favorite " It stated with revolting smugness, "What's the occasion this time?" It was eager, and I had to feel glad for that. Things would run far more smoothly with less apprehension, "Is this the part where you give out your dastardly plan? Or are you trying to avoid cliché's by giving another wild goose chase?"

"I needed you out of the way a little longer. I wasn't ready."

"Time-management issues, I'll ad that one to the list… So does that mean we're ready for our appointment now?"

For one moment, I figured if I could eliminate this thing right now then I assure you I would, "Almost."

"If I cared enough, I might actually call you annoyingly confusing."

I supposed that I had been very obscure as of late. But isn't it all the better that they are actually using their brains instead of just living in ignorant bliss? In my opinion, living in total unawareness of something important was just going to have worse repercussions in the future. But by giving up small snippets of a story at a time will build a larger curiosity and satisfaction in the end.

I'm sure that you agree with that. Isn't that what you've been subject to for all this time?

"I guess that I can solve that a little."

"Oh you're too kind."

Hatred burned under my skin, but I remained calm. That's where they failed in life. They let their emotions fuel them. Living without emotions such as I was far more rational. "As you know, discovering the origins of this Town is of no further use to me. I would have called you all sooner, but as I said I needed more time. Things were not complete."

It had the audacity to yawn at me, "Yeah-yeah, fascinating and all. But we're kind of moving on now."

"I see… In that case I will move on."

"Oh for me? You shouldn't have!"

"Don't push your luck with me." I warned, and no doubt it had more to say on the subject so I quickly hurried on, "You see I'm still pretty adamant to get what I want, and that still involves all of you. And now this Town comes into the equation, the potential has increased greatly."

"And you expect us to go along with it… again?" it scoffed.

Of course I didn't. Things weren't that simple. But like I said before, it was better to make them choose so that you cannot be blamed later, "No. But I have to ask you a question. I can tell that the frustration is eating at all of you, the constant ponderings of what I could possibly be up to. But I regret that I am just up to the same thing. Boring, repetitive, yet needed."

"Speak for yourself."

I ignored the interruption, "But my question is this, stopping me seems to be a recurring theme with you. It doesn't have to be like that. You and the other creations that in all fairness should have been exterminated, would be part of something so much bigger and greater. That also goes for the Nolan's too. Oh and don't think that Jack can fool me with that rosehip trick he's been pulling, give a few days and it is soon out of his system."

"Was there a question in there somewhere, I think I missed it." Sarcasm, it was beyond infuriating.

"My question is this: Given the choice between helping me finish things properly this time; or returning to the others and knowing that as I come back and hunt them down one by one… you could have done something to spare them, which would you pick?"

I could see the thing tilt its head in thought, a little confused. The meaning of my words churning as planned. I knew exactly how this would play out. He would mock me, and then leave, to which I would tell him where to find me when he made his choice. I'd gotten to know this creature, and I knew that although it may have a higher intellect than one would expect, so he understood my meaning. He knew that if he joined me, then I would only be satisfied with returning to my work for so long before I used him as bait to get the others to join also. But, if he went back, then what was stopping me from getting to them all at the same time? And with the latter option, more subjects meant more work, and he wasn't going to like that. Especially from past experiences. In theory, the best and most humane option was for him to come at his own will. But for now, I knew that he'd mock me and leave…

"You really need to work more on your act." He stated, rolling those mutated eyes before pointing with its thumb over its shoulder, "Feel free to follow if you like, it'll make it easier in the long run to keep an eye on you."

Right on cue, "I'm actually stationed not far from here." I smirked, nodding to the side, "It's not that hard to find… when you change your mind that it."

"Uh-huh. Good luck with that."

"I appreciate that, but don't need it. Just remember, you're only condemning them by not coming along. Shame on you…"

I left before it could give any form of reply, I didn't want to hear it. But it seemed that no matter what happened, I couldn't loose. If it came now, then the others would search blindly and come right to me. If it warned them, then they'd only come to me again in hopes of stopping me. If it kept quiet, then they weren't going anywhere, leaving them sitting ducks just for me.

I. Can't. Loose.

A/N:

Again, Yakko is faces with a choice of giving in to emotional blackmail or telling the guys what's up. But whereas he told them before, will he do that again? We'll wait and see…

Well that one took a while to get down, sorry again! So that song at the start was 'Stormy' by Hedley and is so worth the listen XD So what's going to happen in the next episode, well I promise you that you won't have to wait as long to find out. And there really aren't that many chapters to go. Weird, huh?