Chapter Text
Bugs stared at the ceiling as he lay awake in his bed. The clock read 5:32 AM. He hadn't been able to get any rest after what had happened previously. He thought of his children, how they had been locked in that water tower for decades, how they had to rely on only each other for so long. It left an aching pit in his heart. In just a few minutes, the others would wake up, and they would return to Warner Brothers' studio to finish collecting evidence. But after that...who knows? How long would this case take, how much longer did he have to wait to hold his children in his arms once more, and his family to be whole again? He could only hope what he had done worked.
5:33. The two lawyers still lay fast asleep, Paige in the other bed and Kevin on the folded-out couch. Bugs sighed, and took out an old brooch. He couldn’t exactly wear it, so into his hammerspace it went. He opened it, revealing a black-and-white photo of him, Daffy, and the kids. Daffy and Bugs were bickering, while the kids looked at them in laughter. Dot was still a baby, Wakko a toddler, and Yakko was only four years old. Bugs had longed to switch out the photo to something recent, but he didn’t have that luxury. He would give anything to get those days back, when they were all together and happy.
Before Acme came.
5:34, just one minute and they would be going. All of their supplies and luggage by the door, already checked out of their room, and the humans in their clothes as they slept. The recipe for a speedy getaway.
Bugs tried to turn his attention somewhere else, but to no avail. The future of his family had weighed heavily on his mind. 5:34:46. Just a little more and…
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BE-*click*
Kevin shut off the alarm clock, and stretched his arms and back. Bugs leaped from his bed, having laid on top of the blanket, there was nothing hindering him from leaving as fast as he could. Paige got up shortly after, yawning as she took a sip from a canister of cold coffee.
They left the hotel, the closest (yet cheapest) one available, and walked while Bugs ran over to Warner Brothers studio. It seemed they had come just in time, because something was making a big commotion. “C’mon, boost me up doc!” Bugs said, attempting to scale the wall. Kevin lifted Bugs, and the rabbit stood on his shoulders, now having a clear view of what was happening inside.
Yakko, Wakko, and Dot leaped out of the water tower, bindles in hand. They took a deep breath, and stepped forward. All the employees looked wary of what would happen next. Bugs felt a twinge of pride. The fact that his three children could easily intimidate and strike fear into the hearts of grown adults sure was something. He’d have to tell Daffy later. Better yet, he could see it for himself once the trial was over, when their kids were back with them.
“Make sure you’re collecting evidence, okay Bugs?” Kevin whispered.
“Right, right. Don’t worry doc, I’m on it!” Bugs replied. He took out a small camera and set it on the wall’s ledge, and pressed record. He watched with bated breath as his kids continued walking forward.
"Don't worry about us fellas, nothing to see here..." Yakko said, while his siblings whistled an innocent tune. The employees warily went back to their duties, still keeping an eye on the kids. Yakko, Wakko, and Dot walked over to the wall surrounding the studio. They each pulled out a shovel, and began to dig. A burly security guard, no doubt tasked with watching them closely, sauntered over.
"Hey...what are you three doing?" The security guard towered over the Animaniacs. Bugs watched intently, as his children looked at each other slyly. "We're just building a garden..." Dot said, betting her eyes. Yakko chimed in. "This place really is drab, there's no harm in bringing in a little color!" He pulled out a flower from his hammerspace and shoved it in the security guard's face. Water squirt out of it, agitating the man greatly. Before the security guard could do anything though, the siblings had already escaped through their tunnel and were halfway across the road.
Guards began chasing them, but Yakko, Wakko, and Dot were just too quick, too zany, laughing the entire time. Guards fell on top of each other, unable to catch them. Bugs felt so much pride. He smiled from ear to ear. Bugs jumped off of Kevin's shoulders, who breathed a sigh of relief as he stretched his shoulders. "Well, it looks like our job was done for us..." Paige said, looking in the direction the kids ran to.
“What are you two waitin’ for? We gotta go after ‘em!” Bugs said, gearing up to run. Kevin grabbed onto the rabbit’s ears just in time, putting him to a stop. “Slow down for just a sec, do you even know where they’re going?”
After his ears were promptly released, Bugs pulled out one of Kevin’s business cards with a satisfied look on his face, showcasing it to the pair.
“I might’ve given ‘em…a little encouragement..”
Kevin looked in disbelief. "Good thinking Bugs!" Paige said, taking the card back. Before Kevin could say anything drastic, Paige cut in. “We know where they’re headed now, we can meet them there!” Kevin sighed as he began walking to the car, silently agreeing, yet he still had his doubts. "How do we even know if these kids could get to Albuquerque? We're halfway across the country." Bugs and Paige trailed after him. "Look doc, these-my kids are resilient. They'll make it. I know it." Bugs said, with a gleam in his eye. Kevin stayed quiet, something he had learned from Wile. He started the car, and the others got in. Some things just didn't need words. They began the long drive back, with hope in their hearts.