The following morning, Phoenix woke up to the sound of his brothers giggling. He looked down, and Neko and Koma were licking their feet.

  "Ugh, I guess animals really do have less taste buds." said Phoenix as he shook his brothers awake.

  Zappary got up and smacked his lips as Neko jumped on his lap, bringing him down again.

  Shadow rubbed his eyes and looked down at Koma, who settled himself gently on the eldest's lap.

  "Well, I'm up now. What's the plan? Building machines? Climbing trees? Hunting? Crochet? Pottery? Monster hunting? Potion making? Acrobatics? Rock, paper, scissors?"

  "No, you always pick scissors," said Shadow.

  "Not always!" whined Zappary.

  "Zap, you always pick scissors." Phoenix stood up. "Anyways, I was thinking we could go for a walk."

  Shadow nodded, "Sounds nice."

  Zappary pumped his fist, "First, I need some breakfast. What're we thinking? Bacon? Ham? Pancakes? Waffles? Oh wait, we don't have a waffle iron. I could make a waffle iron!"

  "How 'bout scrambled eggs and toast?" said Phoenix.

  "Scrambled figs and toast?" asked Zappary.

  "Eggs!" repeated Phoenix.

  Koma and Neko barked and meowed in agreement.

  After breakfast, they set out on their walk. Phoenix led the way with Neko and Koma trailing beside him.

  "I can see the appeal," said Shadow.

  "I like it, and being out here's helped with my magic," said Phoenix. "Watch this." Phoenix ignited a small flame on the tip of his pointer finger, shaped like a star.

  "Well it must be nice being perfect!" teased Zappary.

  "It is."

  "Okay then, lemme try!" said Zappary.

  He smacked his hands together a few times and planted his feet. The middle brother closed his eyes and raised his palms to the sky. Zappary opened his eyes to the sun rays beating down gently on his skin.

  "Feeling anything?" asked Phoenix.

  "Just gas." said Zappary, an odor becoming apparent.

  "Aw, dude." Phoenix pinched his nose.

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  "Not cool." Shadow covered his nostrils.

  Koma barked at Zappary.

  Neko bit his leg.

  "Ow! Sorry! Jeez! Remind me not to eat beans around you guys!" said Zappary.

  "Not if that's what comes out of you," said Phoenix. "C'mon, we're almost there."

  "Almost where?" asked Zappary. "An enchanted cave? A haunted cabin? A magic river?"

  "Here it is," said Phoenix.

  The older triplets' eyes widened as they caught their first glimpse of the water.

  "A magic river? I was right!" exclaimed Zappary.

  "No, it's just a normal river," said Phoenix. "I like to come up here when it's warm."

  Phoenix tossed his pants aside and stepped into the stream with a hum, waiting for his brothers to come in. Zappary's mouth hung open. Shadow nodded approvingly at the scenery. Phoenix could see the sparkle in their eyes as they got ready to swim. Neko and Koma joined, running around in the shallows.

  Zappary jumps in a large cannonball, but Phoenix forgot to tell him how strong the currents were. The middle triplet popped up a few yards away.

  "I'm okay!" he declared.

  "Is this place safe?" asked Shadow.

  "If it wasn't, would I bring you here?" responded Phoenix.

  "Yes."

  "Shut up and get in the water."

  Shadow slowly waded into the river, and a group of fish passed by his legs.

  "Catch 'em, I do it all the time," said Phoenix, quickly reaching down and pulling up a fish.

  "How?" asked Shadow.

  "Just whip your hand down and grab one," said Phoenix. "You just gotta time it right, it's like jabbing someone."

  Zappary stared at the stream, waiting for a fish to pass by. He saw one and threw his hand down at it. He picked it up, and Shadow did the same.

  "I got it!" celebrated Zappary.

  "Good job!" congratulated Phoenix.

  "Now what?" questioned Shadow.

  "Well I sometimes let them go, but why don't we make dinner with 'em?" Phoenix suggested.

  "I'm down for seafood!" said Zappary.

  "Yeah, just don't let Neko get too close to it," said Phoenix.

  "Close to what?" Zappary picked up his fish only to see Neko hanging onto the tail.

  "You take one bite of that, and I'll eat you too."

  After collecting enough fish, the triplets enjoyed their dinner over a nice bonfire. There was a good pile of bones and fish heads next to the fire once they were done.

  "So... what are you guys gonna do?" asked Phoenix.

  "What do you mean?" asked Shadow.

  "Once you guys leave, do you have any plans?" reiterated Phoenix.

  "No we don't have any cans," said Zappary.

  "Do you have any plans?" repeated Phoenix

  "Well, we don't have to leave."

  "Very funny, but you guys don't need to stay for my sake, I know you guys probably have tons going on."

  Zappary smiled and stood up. "No, I mean it, how about we stay longer?" He wrapped his arm around the youngest.

  "Wait, are you serious?"

  "Yeah, I mean... it would be nice to live together again."

  Phoenix smiled and shook his head, "I don't know, guys. It gets pretty... boring."

  "We'll find a way to keep ourselves entertained, I mean, I just made myself a fishing rod out of a stick and a string from my pants."

  Phoenix raised an eyebrow, "You were wearing shorts."

  "A string from Shadow's pants then!"

  "Meh, alright, but I'm beat, I'll see you guys back at the cabin." He whistled for the cubs, and Neko ran over. Koma's ears perked up, but he stayed on Shadow's lap.

  "He finds my embrace preferable." said the eldest.

  "You little traitor," said Phoenix. "Alright, I'll see you guys later."

  The older brothers stayed for a while, but Zappary eventually left after biting his tongue too many times during his rants. It was just Shadow and Koma by the time the fire died, leaving them alone in the moonlight.

  Shadow spoke softly, "I know the moon is part of my skillset, but it is still nice to look at it." Koma licked his face. "I have not been a good brother. I know that now. I am going to do my best. I will protect them from everything."

  Shadow looked up at the night sky, the full moon casting a silver light across the forest. He stood up, remembering Phoenix's words. He did just as Zappary did. Shadow closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt his hands illuminated in the moon's gentle beam. Koma watched him curiously, and Shadow smiled down at the cub as they made their way home.