Back at the studio lot, life was going on as usual. Plotz was signing forms, Scratchansniff was helping people who were not quite alright upstairs, and Ralph was stationed at his post, letting various people in and out of the lot. Everything was normal, until a small dust cloud could be seen over the horizon. Ralph saw this and wondered what it could be. Upon closer inspection, he made out three figures running towards the lot, carrying what looked like a fourth person. He then saw that it was the Warners running towards him. After he processed this, he got out his net and prepared to capture them.
"Duuh, HEY Y-" was all he got out as the Warners ran him over. Ralph sat up with a confused look, and a load of footprints, on his face. He then fell backwards and passed out, while the Warners were racing through the lot, looking for their p-sychiatrist.
"SCRATCHY!" the Warners shouted, causing the shrink to jump out of his chair in surprise. He gave them an annoyed, but upon further inspection discovered that they were all breathing heavily and completely soaked. He then noticed that they were carrying Ricky above them. They proceeded towards him and set Ricky down on the chair. He then saw that Ricky was also soaked, but his face was what really caught his attention. Ricky just lay there looking lifeless. He was breathing, but looked like a corpse that didn't know it was dead.
"Vhat happened?" Scratchansniff asked. "Vhy does he look like dis?"
"We don't know." Yakko said. "We were hanging around a special friend."
"And we started following our friend in a boat." Wakko continued.
"But we noticed that Ricky didn't get in the boat," Dot chimed in. "and when we turned back to get him, he just stood ankle deep in the water, staring at nothing in particular."
"Then he started walking further and just collapsed." Yakko continued. "He just...sank. He didn't even try to swim. Just sank like a stone."
"And when we pulled him out, he STILL didn't move." Dot said. All three looked close to crying. "He was breathing, but he did nothing. So we ran here to see if you could help him."
"Hmmm." said Dr. Scratchansniff. "Dhis is zerious. Let us ze if ve can wake him from hiz zlumber."
(Line Break)
Ricky's P.O.V.
I see nothing but darkness. I hear distant laughter. I feel bonechilling cold surround me. It hurts immensely. I know I'm sleeping, but I can't wake up. Something is keeping me here. I didn't feel like this until my feet hit the water. Water? Suddenly, I'm under water, looking up at the surface. I swim towards the surface, hoping to get some air. I'm nearly there, only to find a mass of hands coming from the surface, keeping me from sticking my head above the water. I reach my hand out for help, but I see a different hand. A gloveless hand with more fingers and less fur. I look at myself, and see that I'm not a Warner anymore. I think for a second how, but then remember something important. I need to get some air. I reach up for air, but the hands keep me under the water even more. I look past their fingers and see tons of people, smiling and laughing at me, enjoying the sight of me trying to breathe. I see past them and find others as well. Some ignoring the situation out of fear of joining me. Others were failing at pulling the owners of the hands away. I begin to panic as my chest starts to hurt. My vision begins to blur as everyone turn into blobs. Suddenly, a hand grabs me by the hair and pulls my head up. I gasp and open my eyes, looking straight into the cold eyes of what appeared to be the leader of the cruel group.
"Alright, Rat." the red headed boy said as he continued to stare at me. "Have we learned our lesson?"
"Apparently not," I appear to answer in a smug tone. "seeing as how I'm STILL taking Tonya to the concert. So why don't you and your boys go and-" was all I said as the other boy shoved me back into the water. He also began to smack the top of my head in anger at my apparent disobedience towards him. The hitting continued until suddenly the hitting, and the hands, all disappear as another figure came towards the water. I look up to see a girl, around 13 years old, reach a hand towards me. She looked at me with a sad, yet compassionate look. I took her hand and she pulled me up to the surface. As I gasp for air, I take note and see it's the girl I mentioned earlier. Suddenly, everything vanishes, then is quickly replaced with 4 people looking at me with worried looks.
(Line Break)
3rd person P.O.V.
"GAH!" screamed Ricky as his head shot up in shock and confusion. He then quickly looked around to see Yakko, Wakko, Dot, and Dr. Scratchansniff look at him with worry, then with calmness. "W...where am I? What happened?"
"RICKY!" the Warners screamed as the began hugging their now conscious friend.
"You're awake." Yakko said.
"What happened?" Wakko asked.
"Why'd you just pass out like?" Dot asked.
"ENOUGH!" Scratchy screamed. "Give Ricky zome air. He may not be all right juzt yet." The doctor then sat back down in his chair. "When and if you vish to talk, I'll listen." he said in a calm voice.
"I'm...still trying to...process all that...I saw." he mumbled as he curled up a bit and began to catch his breath.
'If I push him too far, he may revert into a comatose state.' Dr. Scratchansniff thought to himself. "I vant you to come ze me tomorrow Ricky." the doc said in a calm tone. "But for now, I think zome rest iz in order, ya?" All of them looked out and noticed that it was well late into the night.
"Wow." Ricky said in surprise. "How long was I out?" he asked as he rubbed his head. He then noticed that his clothes were different. "HEY! Where are my old clothes?"
"They were soaked." Yakko said. "So we got you some dry ones. But the Doctor's right. Rest is in order." he said as he yawned. Soon the others yawned as well.
"Okay." Ricky said with a yawn. "So, should I find a motel or something?" The Warners looked at each other, then smiled.
"We got something better." said Wakko. They all then grabbed Ricky and sped off, saying goodbye to the doctor as well. They ran through the lot and came to a stop, setting Ricky down in front of a huge water tower. "You'll stay with us here." Wakko said as he pointed up at the tower. Ricky followed his finger towards the tower, then looked back at them.
"You live in a water tower?" Ricky asked, clearly confused at them.
"Don't worry. It's better than it looks." Dot said with a smile. They all then climbed the giant ladder to the railing that surrounded the tower. Yakko then opened what appeared to be a door shaped in the same fashion as the Warner Brothers logo. All four then hopped into the tower, with Ricky looking around in amazement.
"WHOOOOA!" Ricky said in utter excitement. There was a multitude of various objects and such inside the huge tower. There was also a triple bunk bed, a bathroom, a kitchen area, and much more. "This place is AWESOME." he said, again in excitement.
"Yep." Yakko said. "Home sweet home. Alright everybody. Time for bed." And with that, they all zipped around getting ready for bed, dragging Ricky along to get him ready as well. They brushed their teeth, changed into pajamas(in their own bizzare ways) and then jumped into bed. Ricky just stood there looking confused.
"I guess I'll crash on the couch." he said as he turned toward the couch.
"Hold up." Yakko stopped him with these words. "Wakko, the guest bed if you please." Wakko then pulled his gag bag out of nowhere, again baffling Ricky, and pulled out a fully made bed, with pillow, blanket, mattress, and bedframe. Ricky just walked up to it and smiled.
"Wow. Thanks." he said as he then jumped onto it and curled up in the covers. He then stretched a bit, popping his joints before promply placing his head on his pillow. He turned to see the other three looking back at him. "Thanks guys." he said with a yawn. "For everything. Goodnight guys." Dot cleared her throat to get Ricky's attention. Ricky chuckled. "And lady." he then nodded off to sleep. As he snoozed, the others talked amongst themselves.
"He fits right in." Wakko said.
"Can't argue with you there." Yakko replied. "Still, that stunt back in the water still bugs me. I can't shake the feeling that it might happen again." he continued with a worried tone.
"Yeah." Dot sighed. "That was scary."
"We'll just hope that the doc can help at tomorrows session." Yakko said. They then said their goodnights and slowly fell asleep.