Death vs. the Warners

Disclaimer: I do not own ANY cast member of Animaniacs. They belong to Warner Brothers.

The day had started off normal enough for the three Warner siblings. Wakko and Dot had spent most of the day playing while Yakko attempted to rest and recover from a sickness. The two younger siblings had done what they could to ease Yakko's pain, but were afraid that he may never possibly recover. When they received news it was a toon related disease hope diminished quickly. The disease was a lot like cancer to humans and destroyed the body slowly. It had seemed that Yakko had been suffering for years without knowing. However, Yakko didn't let that get him down and continued to go about his days taking care of Wakko and Dot.

The days were finally looking up, or so they thought. A large groan of metal could be heard in the water tower. Confused on what was possibly going on Dot, and Wakko stopped their play and turned to Yakko who looked quite grim. The water tower had begun to shake and with a great force began to collapse on its foundation. Yakko saving what strength he had quickly grabbed his siblings, and protected them from the falling debris. He winced in pain and looked down at his two younger siblings and smiled faintly. Dot and Wakko looked up at him in fear. Their brother hovered above them soaked in a mix of their blood and his. The blood ran down his arms and chest onto his two younger siblings much to his dismay. He could see the fear in their eyes, and the pain in his. Wakko received a pierced lung and Dot had a ruptured artery, both were literally bleeding to death.

"Y-Yakko…" Wakko whispered.

Dot looked too horrified to speak, "N-No.."

Yakko smiled and coughed up a little blood, "Don't worry siblings I'm alright…It's just a small wound I'll recover no problem…"

The two siblings would of felt at ease, but they knew better than that. The wounds that all three of them received could have killed them, but they didn't. How were they possibly still alive? Or was death already on its way to claim their lives.

"Yakko, Wakko and Dot Warner I have come for thee" a voice echoed.

Dot felt herself get scared, "No…I'm too cute to die!"

Wakko tried to comfort his little sister, "No one's going to die Dot…Right Yakko?"

Yakko was barely conscious, "Right…so go away death…n-no ones dying today"

Death laughed, "And that is where you are wrong Yakko Warner….All three of you received mortal wounds. However, since I'm in a good mood I'll allow each of you to make a case to why I should let you live. You have an hour to come up with your arguments. However there is a catch, only two of you will be allowed to live. While you go to make your cases your wounds will be suspended until the time has come, and if you die."

The three siblings looked at each other in despair, no matter what one of them would most likely end up dying as a result of what had happened. The three decided it would be best to go their own separate ways so they could creature their case, and hope that the other would pull through for them as well. Dot had gone to her favorite poetry corner while telling Hello Nurse that she was okay. Hello Nurse knew better due to Dot's injuries.

"Dot what happened?" Nurse asked gently.

Dot broke down, "The water tower collapsed! Yakko did his best to protect Wakko and I….W-we have an hour to make our cases on why Death should let us live…there's a catch though only two of us will be able to live!"

Nurse looked at Dot shocked, "Where are your brothers then?"

Dot sniffed, "Yakkos at the tower, and Wakko I think he decided to head off in a different direction."

Wakko had indeed decided to head to a music shop and try keep his mind off what would happen in an hour. He had finally started getting into music more after finding out he had a knack for it. He had started working alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. Some of his debut music had even been used in a few new shows that were debuting in a few weeks. Sighing he picked up a Beatles album and thought back on how it was the first gift he received from Yakko.

Yakko on the other hand decided to stay at the now ruined water tower and reflect on his life. Part of him wanted to be selfish, but he knew that wouldn't be an option. As the older brother he had to do what was necessary to protect his younger siblings. With a small sigh and smile he looked up as the sun was beginning to rise above Burbank California, and that meant the staff would be coming soon to start the day.

The first to arrive to the ruins was Dr. Scratchnsniff who rushed to Yakko's aid. He looked remorseful and tried to tend to the oldest Warner's wounds. The oldest could see the sorrow in the doctors eyes, but reassured him it would be okay. Next on the scene was Ralph and Plotz both equally as sad.

"Yakko wvhat haz happened here?" Scratchy asked.

Yakko laughed a little, "Tower fell down….I don't have much longer, but please…Scratchy watch out for Wakko and Dot…they'll be afraid."

"You sound like you're giving up" Plotz said sadly.

Yakko sighed, "Well considering I'm so ill….The last thing I can do is take care of them one last time… After all I would do anything to protect my siblings….anything." He looked over to Plotz with a pleading look in his eyes, "Please after I'm gone…don't kick them out of the water tower…it's our home. I'll even buy it from the studio if I have to.."

Plotz shook his head, "No don't worry about it your siblings will be welcome to stay here as long as they wish. We'll get repair crews here immediately. Just hang on Yakko."

Scratchy noticed that the two younger Warners were coming up to the rubble holding onto Hello Nurse's hands. Both had a remorseful look in their eyes and quickly hurried to their older brother. Yakko held them tenderly and smiled softly at them, they were his world. One that he was most ready to willingly give up his own life for.

"Five more minutes until he comes back" Wakko whimpered.

Yakko rubbed his back, "Hey relax Wakko it's going to be alright….I promise it's going to be fine. Just make your case."

Dot sniffed and buried her head into Yakko's fur, "I'm scared Yakko…what if I don't make mine strong enough!? I'm too cute to die!"

'Indeed you are Dottie,' Yakko thought to himself and then reassured her, "Don't worry Dot you'll do fine too. You're both going to be okay I promise."

He looked over to the staff that had gathered and they nodded in understanding. They knew that there was no talking the fast talking smartass Yakko Warner from what he was going to do. Everyone began to feel the heaviness of the air as Death returned to the ruins of the tower.

"Your time is up Warners, now make your cases" Death yawned.

Wakko decided that he would go first and stood up in front of his siblings.

"There are several reasons why I can not die now." Wakko started, "I am starting to achieve a strong music career and without me the music world may not be able to progress. I am one of the only three who can make a Gookie in this world! I may be the middle child but I'm just as talented as my siblings in my own way. I can play any instrument you hand me, I can preform classical music with my burps and hands. If that's not talent then I don't know what is" Wakko continued and just as he finished let out a huge belch nearly blowing Death away. The sheepish looking Warner grinned weakly, "Excuse me." He said quickly and hid behind his older brother.

"Good case" Yakko encouraged, "Alright Dot you're next."

Dot gulped and looked at the looming figure of Death and took a deep breath, "Okay and here is why I shouldn't die either! For one I'm TOO cute to even die this young! If I died now the world would no longer be cute! Do you know just how much my cuteness matters to this world!?" She looked over to her brothers scared that it wasn't strong enough. But the look on their faces gave her the courage to keep going, "Also I'm a great fashion expert. Cause listen here Death sweetie tattered robes were so last century." Quickly pulling out a wardrobe from nowhere she threw Death into it and he reemerged in a styled suit.

"So what do you think sugar?" Dot asked holding a mirror up to him.

"Hmmm not bad I think I could get used to thi- wait quit changing the subject!" Death exploded at Dot.

"T-that's all!" Dot froze in fear.

Yakko with what little strength he had left got up and picked Dot up and carried her over to Wakko, "Wakko take care of Dot alright? It's going to be okay."

"How so?" Wakko asked, "Our cases sucked."

Yakko smiled weakly, "That's not true, besides you have one last person to vouch for both of you."

Dot became drained of color, "Yakko no!"

Yakko smiled and embraced his siblings fighting back his own tears, "I am doing this for both of you. You're my world and I will do anything to keep you both safe for as long as I can. I can't bear the thought of losing either of you."

Wakko and Dot both broke down and sobbed into their older brother's fur, "Yakko please don't!"

Death loomed over them growing impatient, "WELL COME ON I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!"

Yakko turned around and glared at Death, "Do you mind!? I'm trying to comfort my little sibs here!"

"Why you little-"

Yakko got up and turned his back to his siblings, "Fine, now here's my case on why my two younger siblings should be allowed to live. First off their both too young to be taken into the world of death can you imagine all the nightmares you would have to be dealing with? Secondly they're just kids! Surely there has to be some moral code on not taking children who have so much potential!" Yakko huffed and started marching towards death who started to back off some. "Dot's cute and will become a famous actress someday I know it. Wakko, he's a musical genius and that kind of talent isn't around anymore if you've looked at what the radios have been playing lately!? He would bring a world of improvement to this world!" Yakko felt himself choking on his tears slightly as he continued, "After all I'm the oldest and it's my duty to make sure that my younger sibs stay safe. If I allowed you to take either one of them I would never forgive myself. I know after today I may not be able to protect them, but I know that everyone at the studio will help and take care of them."

Wakko and Dot started to tear up and hugged their brother from behind, "Yakko please don't we can't lose you!"

Yakko felt a few tears finally fall, "Wakko, Dot please understand I'm doing this so you two don't have to be dragged to the world of death. You both have so much potential, besides we know that I'm not going to survive this disease…so please you need to understand that this is the only thing I can do for you. I will always be with you though."

He turned around and placed his hands on their hearts, "I will always be right here….Whenever you need me I will always be right there."

Dot and Wakko latched onto their brother and began to sob, "Yakko!"

Yakko couldn't hold back his tears anymore and held them close allowing his own tears to fall. Death looked at the three sobbing Warners and felt that if he had a heart this is where he would feel bad. Sniffing he wiped a tear away just at the display the oldest Warner performed to save his younger siblings. Everyone else on the set was in tears as well watching the Warner siblings, and those who witnessed Yakko's sacrifice cried even more.

"Yakko Warner, it is time." Death stated still sniffing.

"Goodbye Wakko, Dot. I love you both so much" Yakko whispered his last words.

Dot and Wakko froze in terror as their oldest brother's body went limp in their arms. Looking at him he had a peaceful smile on his face, as if he had died the way he wanted to go. Dot began to sob loudly and Wakko held her close and sniffed. He was the oldest one now, he would have to take care of himself and Dot.

"Yakko, thank you we won't let you down." Wakko sniffed and picked Dot up and looked like they were ready to leave.

Plotz stopped them, "Wait! Please don't go. Before all of this your brother asked us that we take care of you. We will rebuild the water tower to however you two want. Your brother actually pleaded to buy it from the studio but we wouldn't allow it. However, considering it was one of his last wishes the water tower is yours."

Dot sniffed, "So we're not going to be thrown out onto the streets?"

"Heavens no!" Hello Nurse replied picking the two up, "Come now we have to tend to your wounds."

That night Wakko and Dot stayed in the hospital, as the two slept they could only smile weakly feeling that their big brother was still there watching over them.

"Good night my sweet siblings" Yakko whispered before fading away.

-End-