I'd like to begin by saying how very sorry I am that it's taken so long for me to update. Inspiration came slow, and that annoying old RL stepped in. I hope this final chapter answers your questions and is a worthy ending for all my awesome readers! I'm sorry if this is disappointing in any way, and hope you enjoy it. Right then, on with the final chapter!

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Dangerous Toon Apprehended: Burbank Breathes Easier

Yakko couldn't help smiling as he read the article again; as long as he lived he'd never get tired of looking at it.

"So what's it say?" Dot asked eagerly as she tried to read over his shoulder. "Are there pictures? Are we in any? Are they good?"

Yakko couldn't help rolling his eyes.

Some things never change.

"Keep it down," he said. "Wakko's still asleep."

Dot immediately looked toward the hall.

"Should I check on him again?"

She made herself sound indifferent, but Yakko could see through it easily.

"I don't think a lot's changed in five minutes, sis," he said, smirking. Dot froze for a moment, then shrugged.

"I forgot," she said. Yakko raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, sure ya did."

She glared at him and was about to shoot something back when a yawn came from the hallway. Both turned to see Wakko plodding in, blinking sleepily.

"Did what?" he mumbled.

Yakko immediately stood and walked over.

"Hey, sib. What're you doing up?"

His brother glared through a barely stifled yawn.

"I'm bored," he complained. "I can walk, y' know."

As he spoke, he wobbled slightly on his feet. Yakko couldn't help grinning.

"Sure, but you heard the doc," he said. "You gotta take it easy."

Wakko pouted, but didn't argue as he trudged to the couch and sat down. Dot began looking him over right away, squinting at his face and checking his forehead.

"Dot, I'm not sick," he said, smiling slightly. "I'm just tired."

"Someone with a brain'll be the judge of that, thank you very much," she shot back.

Yakko couldn't help grinning at that. Just then there was a knock on the door. Dot quickly jumped up and ran to answer it, much to Wakko's obvious relief. Yakko smirked and ruffled his cap.

"It's just cause she loves ya," he said. His brother glanced up at him.

"Ever wonder what she'd be like if she hated us?"

Yakko instantly shuddered.

"I try not to," he muttered.

"Hi!"

At the sound of their sister's excited greeting, both guys looked up to see Kay enter the tower. She looked tired and her left arm was in a sling, but she was smiling and there was a kind of lightness about her that they'd never seen before.

"Hi yourself!" she chuckled as she knelt down and returned Dot's hug with her good arm. Wakko jumped up, but stumbled. Yakko quickly placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him and both smiled widely as Kay walked up to the couch.

"Danny wanted to come too, but his firm's working with the indictment," she said softly. Yakko's ears pricked; he knew she was talking about the toon who attacked them. She never referred to him by name.

"What're they gonna do?" he asked, glancing at his wide-eyed siblings. Kay smiled, but it was bitter.

"He's been tied to all the attacks," she said. "Even Tia's. He framed my dad to get rid of him. When he couldn't get work, he blamed other toons. And me. I guess my dad still talked about Mom and me… before his mind went."

The Warners stared with wide eyes as she continued.

"If a creator has something wrong in the head, it can affect the toons he creates. It can even make them insane, and when that happens…"

She sighed heavily.

"The only option is to erase them. They're just too dangerous."

Despite the implications of those words, Yakko was startled to find that he could only feel relief. That monster would never threaten his family again. Kay sighed, shaking her head as she sat down.

"I almost wish I could feel sorry for him," she said softly, almost to herself. "But I'm just relieved."

After a moment, Wakko suddenly spoke.

"Then… that's not bad?" he asked in a small voice. Kay blinked and looked at him, then smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No," she said gently. "It's not bad."

After a moment, Dot slowly tugged on her sleeve.

"What're you gonna do now?" she asked. Kay smiled slightly and shifted her arm.

"Well, this is my last case," she said, then her smile grew until it was wider than they'd yet seen.

"I'm reapplying to my art school here. To finish my animation degree."

Both guys winced as their sister squealed and jumped up to hug her.

"Are you gonna work here?" she demanded excitedly. "Are ya?"

Kay laughed as she affectionately tugged the girl's ears.

"I'll have to actually finish school first. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of chances to play with my hair."

Yakko grinned widely and looked at his brother, who was smiling too. The relief on his face was evident as he walked over to the girls and hugged Kay.

"Thanks," he said softly, his voice quivering slightly. The young woman looked at him, then smiled tenderly and ruffled his hair.

"You too, kiddo," she said gently.

Yakko felt his eyes well up, but before he could wipe them away, Kay looked up and saw him. He gulped, but she just smiled and held out her hand. Yakko walked over and shook it, relieved that she was willing to indulge his pride. He took a breath to speak, but Wakko yawned loudly, making everyone look at him.

"M' not tired," he mumbled. Kay chuckled and stood up.

"I can tell. Anyway, I know I am, so I better head home."

Yakko couldn't help smirking at her tact.

She might be half as good as me.

He walked up beside his siblings as Kay stood up.

"Thanks," he said. "For everything."

The young woman looked at him for a moment, then smiled warmly.

"You're welcome," she said. "And thank you."

After she left, Yakko turned to his brother, who was wobbling as he tried to stay standing. He placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You look pretty wiped."

"I don't wanna go t' bed," Wakko whined as Dot rolled her eyes. Yakko smiled down at his little brother before lifting him on his back.

"Okay, bud."

He carried Wakko to the couch and sat down, putting an arm around him as he nestled into his side. Dot followed and sat on Yakko's other side, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Hey, Yakko?" she asked softly. "You think Mom and Dad would've liked her?"

Yakko looked at her, wondering where that question had come from. He smiled, but before he could reply Wakko yawned softly and looked up.

"They do," he said, looking strangely serious.

His siblings instantly looked at him, and he smiled. Yakko felt his eyes well up, but not from sadness this time. smiling, he put an arm around his brother and sister and hugged them as close as he could.

No one spoke as all three held each other; there was no need to. They were together, loved.

A family.

THE END

Wow. I actually did it. After almost ten months and twenty-three chapters, my first long fanfiction has come to an end. I'm a little sad to be saying goodbye to this story, but to be honest I'm pretty much burned out. Best to end on a good note than force it further. I want to thank all you wonderful readers for your follows, your favorites, and your reviews. Your kind words and encouragement are what kept me going, and I'm so grateful. Again, I apologize if you were disappointed in any way, and I hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. What I do next depends on when inspiration comes calling again. God Bless, and thank you all so much! G'night, everybody!