Chapter Text
“Uncle Donald? we have a situation.”
“...I'll be there in ten minutes.”
~*~*~*~
“What's going on,” Donald said, looking around the houseboat. “And what happened to the babysitter?!”
“Uh, well it definitely wasn't my fault,” Dewey said unconvincingly.
“Dewey pulled a sword out of his Gem.” Louie pointed at Dewey.
“Where’d it come from though? It's not like he could have put it in his gem.” Huey asked Donald. Louie put his hands in his hoodie pocket and gave Donald a look.
“He pulled out a sword?” Donald asked before turning to Dewey. “Can you do it again?”
“Wait, what?”
”Seriously?”
“I guess…?” Dewey said reaching behind him and placing his hand over his gem trying to summon the blade again. A white light formed between Dewey’s hand and his gem. As he pulled his hand away his shirt ripped and the light solidified into a short straight sword once more.
“Oh, by the way, this has ruined my shirt both times.”
“We can fix it later. Now, give it here.” Donald said and he began to look over the blade briefly before he sighed.
“So why does Dewey have a sword, Uncle Donald?” Huey asked him.
“Sit down boys, it’s time for some Gem Lessons.”
“Wait, this is normal?”
“I have the ability to make a sword and you didn’t tell me?!”
“Shhhh! I want an explanation.”
“Gems have abilities beyond being able to store stuff.”
“You mean like how you move water to do the dishes and laundry?”
“Ooh, do we get any other cool powers besides the cool swords? Like laser vision?” Dewey asked excitedly.
“Or turning things into gold?” Louie asked, getting excited himself. Donald stared at them.
“Powers vary, but most Gems get the ability to summon a weapon and another ability like my hydrokinesis, or Gladstone’s luck.”
“Uncle Gladstone’s luck?”
“What’s your weapon, Uncle Donald?”
“My hydrokinesis is weapon enough.”
“Which means you don't actually have one.”
“That’s not-”
“So are we all going to have swords?”
“Well, no, but-”
“A sword sounds pretty cool.”
“It’s based mostly on personality.”
“So does that mean Huey’s weapon will be the guidebook?”
“Well, knowledge is power.”
“Your weapons will form in time and get stronger with training,” Donald started, “but you can’t use them whenever you want, they’re weapons and you could seriously hurt someone by mistake”
“I heard training? I get to learn how to use this?!” Dewey exclaimed swinging up the blade.
“You’ll learn how to use it properly so you don’t end up hurting yourself or others.” Donald looked at them with a heavy gaze. “You have to remember that these are tools, not toys, and you have to be responsible with them.” The triplets shifted uncomfortably recognizing the serious tone in their Uncle’s voice.
“Yes, Uncle Donald.”
~*~*~*~
“Okay, step one, hands over the gem,” Huey said as he did so, “step two, feel and gather the energy, step three, separate it from the- arrgh,” Huey groaned as nothing appeared.
“Your gem was glowing that time,” Louie commented from his bunk.
“Why can't I get this, Dewey can do it without even trying!”
“His weapon is a sword and he's Dewey, there's the entire reason right there.”
“Dewey…” Donald's voice echoed from the deck. A couple minutes passed and Dewey came into the room clutching several damaged shirts.
“So... can I borrow one of your shirts for school tomorrow?”
“What did you do to ruin that many?”
“I was practising not ruining them… I'm getting better.” Dewey said pulling out a shirt only damaged at the collar.
“Yeah no, you aren't cutting up one of my hoodies.”
“I'd rather not lose one of my shirts.”
“I'm not going to try summoning it at school, Uncle Donald is already mad enough about the shirts. I just need something to wear.”
“Fine, you can borrow one of my shirts.” Huey sighed.
~*~*~*~
Late afternoon the next day.
“Crap,” Huey said, freezing between his brothers.
“What’s up?”
“I left the form in Mr Bernard’s room. I’ll be right back; let Uncle Donald know.” He called, already walking back into the school. Huey had barely grabbed the form from his desk when he heard an angry voice yell.
“HEY!” A second later Huey felt his arm being grabbed and as he turned, he came face to face with one of the older students, orange paint splattered in her shirt, her features scrunched up in anger.
“You messed up big time.”
“What? What are you-” Huey asked. The older child let go and loomed over him.
“You embarrassed me.”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, don’t play dumb!”
“I’m not? Are you sure you have the right-”
“Red shirt, stupid face, I think I’m right on my mark.” She sneered. Just as Huey opened his mouth a figure opened the door. “Huey?”
Both Huey and the bully jerked their heads to the voice.
The bully flicked her eyes between the two, quietly they said, “It’s your lucky day, my reason to believe you didn’t do it just walked in.” And louder they called, “Nice hoodie asshat, way to hide.” They moved away and began to stalk forward. “Wait, wha-” Louie started only to stop as a kick drove all the air from his lungs into a pained yelp.
“Louie!”
“You ready for more?” They jeered kicking again, this time at his stomach.
His Gem. Huey thought alarmedly as his vision went red and his hands felt heavier. He then ran towards the one who would dare hurt his baby brother.
What happened those next few minutes was a blur of rage, the next thing that Huey remembered doing was picking his brother up and running towards the car.
“What happened?” Donald asked as the door slammed shut.
“Louie are you alright?” Dewey asked him concernedly.
“Y-Yeah,” Louie wheezed. ”but you were right.”
“Right about what?” Huey frowned.
“I played a prank on an older student,” Dewey said. “When you went into the building I saw them follow you.”
Donald's hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“And then Louie went in to make sure he was okay.” He finished.
Dewey looked down “...yeah”
“What happened?” Donald asked again.
“They were talking to me and after I said whatever they were mad about wasn’t me Louie walked in.” Huey paused. “She assumed if it wasn’t me then it had to be him.” He took a steadying breath. “She knocked him down and then she kicked his gem and everything just went red.”
“His Gem?” Donald whispered, concern radiating from him.
“I’m fine Uncle Donald.” Louie was quick to reassure, “plus, Huey summoned his weapon so I’d say it's an even lot.”
“What?!” Three voices echoed in the car.
“What’s your weapon?!” Dewey asked.
“I don’t- I summoned my weapon?” Huey asked in a shocked voice, fingers hovering over his gem. It started to glow slightly.
“Save summoning for the houseboat.” Huey’s hands immediately dropped.
“What’s my-”
“Don’t answer that Louie I want it to be a surprise.” Dewey interrupted.