HELLO MY LOYAL SUBJECTS!

XD I'm back once again people and with another chapter! This one should have come out over the weekend but I got a little caught up with school and personal issues. BUT FEAR NOT, FOR LE CHAPTER IS HERE. Btw if you haven't noticed I have replaced my old cover with the new one I drew. Thought it was time to upgrade it c: Now without further ado, enjoy!

CHAPTER 20: BROKEN NOSES AND SIBLING QUARRELS

Ugh, my head feels like I got run over by an elephant...wait why is it dark? Oh! My eyes are closed. Heh, silly me.

Zekko slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the harsh white light in the room. He tried blinking away the grogginess. Feeling around, he felt the familiar touch of blankets on a mattress. Said mattress too small for his liking. Where was he? His ears perked to the sound of heels against a tiled floor.

"Oh you're awake." He was helped to a sitting position. "How do you feel?"

"Ubb, okag I duess?" Zekko looked to his side. His eyebrows shot up as did his face get warm noticing that was not a face he was looking at, but truth be told he wasn't complaining. He moved his gaze upwards to the sultry eyes of the nurse he had met an hour before.

"That's good." Miss Nurse said with a smile causing Zekko's tail to wag. She grazed her hand over his head and the toon purred. Whatever he did to deserve this he wouldn't mind trying again.

"Ow!" Zekko suddenly yelped, flinching away from the nurse's touch as she brushed a bump on his head. Snapped out of his good mood, his body was quick to remind him of his aching nose and newly sore bruise on the back of his head. Speaking of his nose. How did he miss the rolls of bandages around it? No wonder he sounds all stuffy.

"Sorry." She apologized, looking the bump over. "Hm, the swelling went down."

Zekko gingerly touched the bump. No swelling or not, it felt too large. Not to mention his head was killing him.

"I'm awfully sorry about my assistant." the nurse moved his head up, getting a better view of his bruise. "He's quite jumpy."

Zekko blinked. "Assistadt?"

She nods. "He's new to the studio. Helps me here in the medical ward."

That's when it hit him like a ton of bricks. Now he remembers. The medical ward! Yakko was bringing him here because of his nose. How could he ever forget meeting Miss Nurse here? Second he set his eyes on her...grrroawl. She had been over by her desk, one leg over the other for his viewing pleasure and reading The Variety paper. As much as would have loved to make a move, Yakko beat him to the punchline by jumping in her arms. Not to mention he was a bloody mess. And no he's not trying a British accent. The tissues were leaking and he had blotches of blood on the front of his jacket. All he had been trying to do was find more tissues…

An hour earlier

"Stupid dose." Zekko grumbled, wiping away extra blood from his lip with his sleeve. He smacked his lips, cringing at the metallic taste in his mouth. While Yakko was out there flirting with the nurse, he was here looking for a substitute for those tissues. The tissue box was empty and toon logic refused to work with him. What the heck was he supposed to do with a screwdriver?

He sighed. He should have seen this coming. He heard plenty about the side effects. Toon cuffs. Such a joy aren't they? Thank goodness for sarcasm.

Zekko sniffed and peeked into the nearest office. Darn. Nothing here either. He wipes at his nose again. He's getting real tired of this bleeding. Making him light headed. He wasn't a fan of blood, even his own. If his toon powers would just do him a favor and come back already, he'd be healed by now!

He opened and closed a few desk drawers in the office. Nothing but files. He scowled, slamming it close. What kind of medical ward is this? There aren't even tissues!

Zekko turned to get around the desk, but stopped at a gasp. He looked up, barely missing it as someone darted out of his view. He raised a brow.

"Ub, hello?" He walks to the door, peering to see who was there. "Sorry about the bess, duess you can say I had a rud in with sobebody." He quirked, knowing how he looked. He is so gonna get back at those billboard people-

Zekko heard the shriek first. He didn't even have a chance to react when something slammed down on his head. He couldn't tell if the crack belonged to the weapon or his skull. He's sure toon logic had it in for him as he saw stars and fell with a thud. Head pounding, the room unnaturally swam around in his vision. Oohhh this is gonna smart in the morning…

Last thing he saw was a frantic teenager screaming his head off and running far from him before his vision blackened.

Present time

Zekko put a hand to his head. That kid gives a good hit, he'll give him that. This better not scar. He doesn't need another one of those.

"Your brother told me he would be back soon." Miss Nurse said, interrupting his thoughts. He blinked, but nodded.

"Thadks." She left out the room and he sat up, lifting his legs over the edge of the bed. By the time on the clock, he's been out for an hour or so. His sore head longed for another hour of sleep, but he shook himself awake. Yakko would be back soon. As much as he hated to say it he better let the guy know he's conscious to say the least. Another thought was nagging at him too. This whole side effect problem… Back when he was on his best behavior, cuffs weren't a problem. He would get breaks every second week. From what he heard the cuffs were prototypes and they had been instructed to allow breaks. He was one of the first test subjects at the time. Lucky him, huh?

Zekko snorted, rubbing his wrists in remembrance. The special treatment didn't last long. The distance from his sibs was killing him. He couldn't take it. He still remembers his first break out. Heh. He shook his head. Never saw that guard around the corner. He didn't even make it pass the first two halls! Talk about fail.

After that the attempts kept coming. he refused to quit. He should've seen it coming really, but he was stubborn. Wasn't until the man in charge slapped on those cuffs on his wrists and threw away the key did it hit him. There was no more breaks, no more toon powers. Cuffs on 24/7. No buts about it! Maybe if his guards had mocked him less it wouldn't have felt so real.

But what was really nagging him was the fact Yakko saw all that. He scowled, running a hand through his fur. Jerk could have warned him! But no, Yakko got his few chuckles and stuck him with the bloody nose. Stupid Yakko. He saw it in his eyes, that confusion when he got hurt. No doubt Yakko will ask him about it. He does not want to get into it. He'll look weak, he can't ever look weak. He'll lose his advantage. He has to stay strong. He needs to be strong. It'll keep Yakko off his back, there won't be any questioning. None at all. No questions. No more questions. No more questions...

"No more questions!...please?"

The man across him frowned. He forced his gaze away, blinking away tears. His hands were shaking, from fury or from nerves he could not tell. He should not have interrupt. He's angry isn't he? He flinched when he was forced to look up, his beady eyes staring into a cold stare.

"You disappoint me Zekko." The man stated, frowning still. "I thought we made progress after our last session." The man's hand lingered on his chin longer than necessary. With an abrupt release, he turned to the floor. "No matter. This session will simply be longer in return for your behavior."

"N-no more questions…" He hiccuped, despising how cracked his voice sounded.

He didn't have to look up to know the man was smiling. "Oh Zekko...we are far past that now."

No no. He hates that tone. Not that. Please he hates it. He hates it. He hates it-No more. Please no more. Not again-not again-

A hard slap struck the side of his face and he gasped out, clutching his nose which took the blow full on. God that hurt! Who had just… That's when he felt the sting of his hand. He had done it, to get him out of that memory. Oh his nose did not appreciate that.

"Nice to see you up sleeping beauty-...uh what's with the waterworks?"

He snapped his head up, wincing at the throb of hise nose. Yakko was at the door of the room, tilting his head at Zekko, a glimmer of concern in his eyes. Zekko touched at his face. His fur was damp with tears. He hastily wiped them away.

"I uh, I hit by dose agaid." Zekko dismissed, clearing his throat. Yakko raised a brow, but shrugged and didn't question.

"I got Waks the medicine." Yakko said when Zekko got off his bed. "Which reminds me, you need a new trash can."

Zekko wrinkled his nose, which he regretted. Kid better not have thrown up anywhere else. He is not a fan of clean up duty. Last time he ever cleaned up after a sick stomach… Note to self. Keep the taffy from Gekko. Or was it chocolate? Did he even like that stuff still? He can ask later if he runs into Gekko. After his and Shayna's little skit he hadn't seen his bro around. He wonders if Gekko had wandered into the kitchen was eating him out of house and home. Wait if he was-oh...he's gonna need to replace more than a single trash can isn't he? Hopefully he's wrong and Gekko was picky enough to avoid the rotten stuff. Second note to self, get more food.

"This is your captain speaking, will Zekko Warner please get his head out of the clouds and answer me."

"Huh?" Zekko looked up and was less than amused to find Yakko sporting a pilot's outfit while speaking into a headset. "Bardy bar bar."

"Hey a laugh!" That earned the smart aleck a scowl. A spin later Yakko turned to Zekko, hands on his hips. "Now that I have your attention…" He jerked a thumb towards the door. "I talked with Miss Nurse, you're free to leave and she gave me some pain killers too."

Zekko held out a hand. "Give be ode. Baybe you'll disappear."

"Cheap shot." Yakko scowled, Zekko just walked past him. "How about next time you don't wander? Save you the headache. Literally."

"I wasb't wabderind!"

"Then what do you call me and the nurse finding you about three halls away from her desk?"

"Persobal space." Before his brother could put in a word, he realized he missing something. "Where's by jacket?"

How he had not seen it sooner was a mystery. Zekko always wore that jacket. Aware now, he covered his arms out of instinct. He felt naked.

"Seriously, where's by jacket Yakko?" he snapped when Yakko didn't answer fast enough.

"How am I supposed to know?" Yakko answered, taken back by the intensity of Zekko's stare. "It was pretty messy...maybe it was thrown out-"

"WHAT?"

"Maybe! I said maybe!" Yakko raised his hands up in a calming down gesture. Wow the horror on that toon's face. He sighed. "Want me to ask the nurse if she has it?"

Zekko nodded so fast bobble heads would be envious. He stopped a whimper that threatened to come out. It was killing him he was acting like this, but when it comes to his jacket it doesn't matter. He wants-no needs! He needs his jacket back!

Yakko went out the door and Zekko was right on his tail. He kept rubbing his arms, the absence of his jacket wasn't a pleasant feeling.

Relax Zekko, you'll get your jacket soon. Probably just being washed! Yeah, that's it...does this place even have a washing machine?

He dwelled on the thought for a second. An excuse to forget the possibility the fate of his jacket had been a trash can. Was it just him or had he actually said trash can more than once this entire chapter-

"Hey! Watch it!"

He backed up in surprise, having bumped into someone. A doctor? No, sounded too young. By the uniform this kid's a nurse. The teenager turned to him, mouth open and ready to scold, but the kid froze. Chills of familiarity crept up Zekko's spine. Oh and not in a bad way.

"Y-you're you!" The nurse shook his head and backed up, out of the corner of Zekko's eye he noticed Yakko look back from walking forward down the hall. "I-I mean it's you!"

Sheesh, kid is as pale as a ghost, Zekko thought, a grin sliding onto his face. Call him crazy but he sees an opportunity in the making! The kid stepped back, bringing up his clipboard to his face. He didn't miss the rolls of tape around the clipboard's middle either. Oh ho ho...look who just found the hit and run escapee.

"Me who?"

"You!"

"Ewe?"

Ding ding ding! He got a scowl!

"You! You're that psychotic!" The nurse pointed at Zekko, yelping and drawing his hand back when the toon made a snapping motion as if to bite the kid's finger. Zekko smirked. So the kid knows him, heard of him at least. Sure the psychotic term got on his nerves but what's better than letting out a little steam on his new special buddy.

A hand landed on Zekko's shoulder. "Ehh, forget our manners did we?"

Zekko glanced back, Yakko looking right at the kid with a simple smile that contrasted his firm grip on his shoulder. The excitement he had felt deflated. Gotta be kidding. He can't just have a little bit of fun?

The nurse didn't dare lower his clipboard and stared at Yakko, confused by who those words has been aimed at. He continued. "Zekko, this is Harold. Harold, Zekko." Yakko caught Zekko's narrowed gaze. "This is the kid found you."

"Found me." Zekko echoed, turning back to Harold. "Interesting way to put it…"

"Very." Yakko turned him away from the trembling teenager. "You girls can gossip later, let's go get that jacket." The emphasis on those words could have not been more clearer. Zekko shook Yakko off his shoulders.

"I get it." Zekko said, returning a stare his brother's way before walking forward. He heard Yakko sent a bye Harold's way, but by the sound of scampering footsteps Harold was quite eager to leave too. Yakko caught up with him.

"I don't need a babysitter."

"On the contrary." Yakko moved in front of Zekko. "Whether you like it or not, I am supposed to be watching over you. Remember?"

His hands clenched into fists. Why not just knock his teeth out while he's at it? He looked to the side.

"Let's just go see Miss Nurse." He muttered. Yakko nodded, shoulders relaxing.

"Yeah." Yakko turned, Zekko tailing from behind him. "By the way, your voice sounds better."

That perked Zekko's interest. He took hold of the bandage tape and was unwrapping his nose. Unlike earlier, his nose wasn't swelled and actually felt much better. His eyes twinkled. Would you look at that…

Zekko grinned. Today wasn't so bad after all.

"Gekko come on! We're about to play bowling!"

"Don't care."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"Shayna…"

"Pretty please with a cherry on top-"

"What part of no don't you understand?"

Gekko growled, crossing his arms in a huff. For the past fifteen minutes Shayna hadn't bothered to leave him alone. Kept bugging him from outside his door to play with her and...the others. He shook his head for what must be the hundredth time. Shayna could beg all she wanted. He's not coming out.

"Stop being a sourpuss and join in the fun!" She sounded irritated.

"Are the two stooges gonna be joining?"

"Yes and you can be the third."

"Forget it." He laid down on his bed, eye closed. For once Shayna shut up and he relaxed...until his moment of silence was ruined once again.

"Did you really have to go and board up the door?"

Gekko's eyes snapped open and his sister was looking right over him, arms crossed over her chest. He sat right up. "How the fu-"

He was met with a bar of soap to the mouth.

"None of that with me you hear?" She scolded, shaking a finger accusingly at him. He wanted to retort, but was too busy spitting out the soap bar and gagging. Who's big idea was it to make pomegranate flavored soap? He wouldn't be surprised if Shayna got that just for him.

Gekko glared at her. "How the heck did you get in my room?"

She jerked a thumb behind her. "Plot hole."

He looked past her and low and behold, there was a black circle in front of his door. He deadpanned. "I hate you."

"Love you too." She said sweetly before the scowl came right back. "Now move your butt off this bed and have fun with us!"

Oh not this again. He got up and stormed to the back of his room. "I already said no!"

"No, smo! You're coming!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

Gekko was so busy yelling he didn't notice Shayna walking around to face him and turned him the opposite way. He walked onwards towards the door and Shayna trailed behind, smirking.

"Are too."

"Am not! There is no way you are getting me out this room!" He marched onward, looking back to her, glaring.

Shayna smiled. "No need to. You took care of it yourself."

"What are you-"

His next step missed the floor and caught the air. With a shriek Gekko fell right through the open plot hole and was shot right out the other side. Shayna cringed at the sound of a thud before jumping into the hole.

"Gekko?" She poked her head up and found Gekko upside down against the nearby wall, stars for eyes.

"...crazy to the max...gonna sit back and relax…We're Animaniacs…"

Shayna stared. Then burst into a fit of giggles. He still remembers the song! She grinned and skipped over.

"Gonna join the Warner Bros and sis, ain't no better bliss." She sang, leaning over as her dazed brother opened his mouth once again.

"Cause with us it's all hit-and-miss…"

Another fit of snickers came from the Warner sister and it rose Gekko from his daze. He shook his head and scrambled to sit up.

"Oh but it was just getting to good part." Shayna pouted, ignoring her brother's scowl.

"Can't believe you made me sing that." He growled.

"Give it a break Gekko." she retorted, annoyance turning back into a teasing smile. "You love that song and you know it!"

"I don't!"

"Yes you do."

"Do not!"

"Do so!"

"You little-!"

Shayna snapped her head around just as he looked away. He could feel her glare at the back of his head.

"Little what Gekko?" She snapped. "Spill it coward!"

"Little insensitive brat!" He snapped right back. "There! I said it! Happy?"

"Look who's talking Mr. Grumpy Pants!"

"That's not even a good comeback!"

"Oh forget it!" She turned and stormed down the hall. "I know when I'm not wanted!"

"Where was this fifteen minutes of my life ago?" He yelled after her.

"In the trash where you live!" She snapped, looking back with a glare. "Now if you don't mind, I am gonna go play bowling with siblings who actually want me around."

"Dot doesn't even like you!" He retorted.

"She's better company than you are!"

"You know what, fine! Go play your little games with them!" She was already storming off, but he went on. "I don't need you!"

"Good riddance!"

"Hope you break a nail playing, Shay-shay." He sneered, already turning to leave. Had he actually been paying attention he would have not missed Shayna screeching to a stop, rigid to the spot...

Gekko grumbled. "The matter with her…? She's so-" His ears snapped up at a scream of fury and footsteps getting louder. He didn't have a second to react when a smaller body slammed into him and sent them tumbling.

"DON'T CALL ME SHAY-SHAY!"

The two siblings wrestled, their screaming and insults mixed to the point it sounded like gibberish with the exception of a curse word here and there. Only a few seconds into this they created their own fight cloud and did two faces peer around the corner to find this scene.

"So...does this mean we can't bowl?" Wakko looked at his sister, tongue poking out the side of his mouth. Dot shrugged and looked at the cloud fight.

"I vote leaving them."

"Doesn't seem like a fair fight." Wakko said.

That moment the cloud broken up to reveal the other Warner siblings still wrestling but Shayna had turned the tables.

"Ow! Let go of my arms!" Shayna lay on him and pulled his arms behind him.

"Then take back what you said!"

"Never!"

Dot deadpanned. "Looks fair to me."

"Dot…"

"Oh serves him right for being a jerk all time." She huffed, tail twitching in annoyance. Dot saw Wakko cross his arms with a raised eyebrow. She groaned. "You get the jerk. I'll handle her."

Wakko's then looked nervous. "I call switch."

Dot shot him frown and he shrugged sheepishly. She rolled her eyes. "Fine." The two siblings rushed over, each grabbing their respective pick.

"Lemme at him! Lemme at him!" Shayna snarled, flailing in Wakko's arms.

"Let me go!" Gekko growled, struggling to get free. "This fight isn't over!"

"Wasn't a fight to begin with." Dot drawled and it got her a glare.

"Can we just go bowl?" Wakko shrunk back at Shayna's death glare.

"I want justice!"

"You need anger management!" Gekko snapped.

"Look who's talking!" Shayna snapped back, both Wakko and Dot re-echo her exact words, yet more blunt. Gekko finally shoved Dot off, glaring at the lot of them and stormed down the hall. Shayna pushes Wakko off.

"Where are you going? We're not done here!"

"I'm not staying where I'm not respected!" Gekko yelled back, not looking back.

"Wait til Zekko hears about this!" Shayna warned. "He's gonna be mad!"

"I don't care!" He stormed out of sight.

Shayna was still yelling, but Gekko had stopped listening. Fuming from his thoughts alone. Stupid Shayna. Stupid Wakko. Stupid Dot. Stupid Zekko. All of them! Stupid! He doesn't need them. He doesn't need anybody. Zekko wouldn't bat an eye if he even left. He's got his precious sister Shayna to be with him. New siblings to be with. Hell with them all!

He marched through the Bunker and found himself back in the main hall. He went right for the the elevator door.

It's his turn to leave them behind.

NO! GEKKO GET BACK! DON'T LEAVE.

Oh boy are Zekko and Yakko in for a loop when they find out about this! I think I shall snitch...TO THE SNITCH CAVE!

(A Wakko pops up next to me) "Isn't that Batman's thing?"

...foiled again! Well until next week then. (Pulls Wakko onto my shoulders) To the exit my good Wakster! (runs)

(Wakko whoops for joy) "Bye everyone!"

The Queen is out!