Yakko blinked, looking around. He wasn't an expert on the subject by any means, but he was pretty sure death wasn't supposed to be so… boring. As far as he could see there was just a big expanse of white. He wasn't sure he was even standing on the ground, or whatever qualified as the ground here.

Is this purgatory or something? Doesn't look like it, but… am I gonna have t' just stand here till I'm, well, purged?

The thought made Yakko feel distinctly uneasy. Granted, he didn't think he had so much to atone for that he'd be here a long time, but he could only talk to himself for so long before he'd start losing it. And his siblings…

Right then, everything came rushing back and Yakko's mind blurred with panic. His sibs were alone and scared, in danger. He couldn't be here, he had to be with them.

"Please!" he yelled, turning in every direction. "Please, someone, anyone! I can't be here! I can't leave them, I can't… I promised! I promised I'd…"

His voice was breaking now, tears spilling from his eyes that he didn't bother trying to hold back. He didn't care about being strong now… he just wanted his brother and sister. He wanted to keep them safe, be there for them until they could go find their parents together.

Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation… soft, gentle hands cupping his face, bringing a sense of comfort he hadn't felt in years. In four years, to be exact.

Yakko felt his heart skip, and a few moments passed before he could speak. His voice was hoarse, quivering.

"M-Mom?"

The voice that answered was soft, seeming to come from a distance.

Don't worry, darling. You haven't broken your promise.

The feelings that voice roused were a confusing swirl of comfort, joy, sadness, and fear. Yakko could only think of one reason she would be here.

"But… but, I… I will, won't I? I wanna see you and Dad, but…"

A soft, almost musical laugh answered.

Oh, we won't be nearly fun enough. You are part of a set, aren't you?

Those words brought a stirring of hope, and Yakko's eyes widened.

"Then… I can…"

Of course. Who else can we trust to take care of Wakko and Dot?

Yakko felt a smile of relief come to his face, but it didn't last long.

"I'm sorry… I got us in trouble, I couldn't keep them safe…"

The invisible hands caressed his face.

You did protect them. And they protected you. We all protect each other because that's what family does.

The sensation of a loving kiss on his forehead made Yakko close his eyes, smiling as his mother's voice whispered.

Be brave, darling. And remember, even if you can't see us, we'll be with you. And we love you, so very much.

"I know," he whispered back. "Love you too."

There was no other sound, but Yakko still felt her touch fade. Then a sound did come, faintly, as if through a wall. It sounded like… sniffling. And he knew right away who it was.

Dot… please, don't cry… I'm here…

The sound grew louder, along with a painful, almost hot sensation in his side. It wasn't as bad as it was, which he supposed was good… it meant they probably found help. Though it also meant his sibs were with someone he probably didn't know.

The surge of protective instinct that thought brought gave Yakko all the push he needed to wake up.

When he finally pushed his heavy eyelids open, everything was too blurred to discern exactly where he was, but the clear lack of white… and cold… was enough to tell it wasn't outside. But Yakko didn't need clear vision to recognize the blurred figures hovering over him, and utter relief brought a smile to his face.

"Hey, sibs," he mumbled, his voice hoarse.

Dot's squeal of joy seemed to pierce his skull, and both younger siblings immediately lunged forward to wrap him in a fierce, tight hug. Despite his joy at seeing them both safe, the eldest Warner still couldn't suppress a harsh grunt.

"Ow ow ow…"

Both Wakko and Dot immediately let go, and by now Yakko's vision was clear enough to see their anxious, tearstained faces.

"We're sorry!" Dot cried. "Sorry, we… we didn't want to… we couldn't…"

Wakko was quiet, but his eyes were overflowing with tears and full of anguish as he clutched his older brother's arm as if afraid letting go would make him disappear.

"Hey, hey… s' okay, sibs," Yakko said, then lifted his arms again with as cheeky a grin he could manage. "Take two?"

His siblings crowded in for another embrace, this time snuggling against him with careful, gentle movements as they sniffled quietly. The eldest Warner pulled them both close, nuzzling their heads as his own eyes stung with tears, relishing the knowledge that they were here, they were safe, and he was there with them.

Eventually, though, Yakko's focus shifted to the space they were in. It was a relatively small room, with plain walls and a single round window. It was dark outside, but Yakko could make out snow falling. The bed he was laying in and the table beside it was the only furnishings, but there was also a pallet and blankets on the floor. Yakko felt a surge of guilt as he realized his siblings must have been sleeping in here while he was out. How long had he been out, anyway?

"I'm really glad t' see you guys too, but ahhh… where exactly are we?"

Dot sniffed, nestling a little closer.

"These two guys found us," she said. "They said they knew Mom and Dad, and the weird short one says he's a seer. We're in his place, and we…" Her voice choked, and she let out a quiet sob before continuing. "W-we've been here… almost three days."

Yakko felt even worse at that. He couldn't imagine how scared her and Wakko must have been.

"I'm sorry, guys," he whispered. "I didn't mean t' scare you…"

He hesitated when he felt his brother start to shake, his concern flaring again.

"Wak?"

At that, Wakko shuddered and broke down crying, pressing his face into Yakko's chest.

"I'm sorry," he sobbed. "M' sorry, I… I tried t' be brave, but… but I couldn't… c-couldn't do it…"

Yakko was startled, but immediately began stroking his brother's capped head.

"Hey, hey…" he murmured. "Ya were brave, baby bro."

Wakko didn't reply but continued to cry softly. Yakko felt his throat tighten, but swallowed hard and rubbed his brother's back.

"Shh…" he soothed. "It's okay, it's okay…"

"Oh, hello," a dull, monotonous voice drawled from the doorway.

Yakko's head shot up, immediately pulling his siblings closer in a protective hold. A short, hooded figure in a red and white robe stood there, and Yakko couldn't stop himself from baring his fangs in a growl.

"Take it easy there," the hooded man said. "I'm a friend. Seer of the Spire Pip Pumphandle. Was planning to meet you in Burbank, but plans had to change a little. You never know when those soldiers are gonna show up… quite unusual, really. Even I don't always know, which is strange, being a seer and all…"

Yakko finally lost patience and didn't bother to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

"Look, pal, we've just traumatized for life and now we're in a cabin with a weird guy we've never met. How about a little explanation?"

The stranger's voice never changed tone.

"Oh, of course. It's time you knew anyway."

He hesitated, and Yakko could swear he heard a little sympathy in his voice when he continued.

"Though the young ones might need a little more time."

The sound of that made Yakko's guilt rise again. So he nodded.

"Okay. But we wanna know everything after that."

Pip gave a casual nod.

"Of course. Be right back… just take all the time you need."

Yakko nodded in return, than focused back on Wakko and Dot. He knew things were changing more than he'd ever thought, and they needed to start figuring out what to do, but as always, his siblings were his priority. And he was more determined than ever to keep his promise to their mother.