Magic is Friendship!

Phoenix got up, stretched, then headed to Trucy's room. He knocked on the door lightly. "Trucy? Are you doing alright in there?"

Trucy opened her door, her hat askew. "Yeah, Daddy. Just practicing my magic and all before tomorrow night." She smiled, "You're going tomorrow, right? It's my first performance at the WonderBar!"

"Of course I'm going," Phoenix smiled, but on the inside, he was trying to think of a way to get out of going. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"Great!" Trucy beamed. "I think I'm finished practicing for tonight. Is Steel Samurai on?"

"You know it," Phoenix chuckled, and walked back to the living room with Trucy. The two watched the Steel Samurai together, booing at the Evil Magistrate, singing along to the theme song, and acting like five year olds.

Apollo got back half way through and watching Phoenix and Trucy. He smiled at the fact that Phoenix could make her so happy and set the food on the table, pawing through it to set up the food.

"Need help?" Phoenix got up and walked over to Apollo, still smiling from watching the Steel Samurai defeat the Evil Magistrate yet again.

"Yeah, take whatever is yours and her's." He said opening a small container of his food and spreading it on a plate. "Hey Trucy, its time to eat." He called out to her, hoping he'd make it past the TV speaker, blasting the ending theme to the steel samurai.

Trucy lept up from the couch, singing along to the end theme. "That was a great episode!" she giggled.

"Yeah, it was," Phoenix agreed cheerfully, putting his takeout on a plate. "That was some really intense fighting!"

"Hey, Polly, guess what?" Trucy smiled at her brother. "Daddy said he'd go see me tomorrow, too! It'll be like family night!" She beamed at the two of them.

He smiled while eating and looked over at Pheonix. He knew Phoenix didn't wanna go as much as he didn't. He was already roped into this, now Phoenix was too. He was caught between deciding to help Phoenix get out of it, or risk hurting Trucy's feelings. He thought for a moment and remembered that Mr. Wright would be able to get out of it if he really wanted to. "That sounds great, Trucy."

Phoenix exchanged a look with Apollo. "It'll be fun, Truce. Though I don't think most family nights are held at the WonderBar." He chuckled.

Trucy shrugged as she ate some sushi. "It's still family night, no matter where we are," she pointed out.

"I guess you've got a point Trucy, as long as we're all still together." He took another bite of his meal. "Your shows in a little under two hours, right?" He asked.

"It is," Phoenix answered for Trucy. "And believe me, she'll want to leave a full hour before her show starts. I know how Trucy rolls." He smiled at his daughter. "Right, Truce?"

"Yeah!" Trucy grinned, then checked her watch and gasped. "Ah! It's almost seven now! We gotta get going!"

"Let's go, then," Phoenix stood up hastily, not wanting to upset Trucy. He knew she was a bit high maintenance before a show, and didn't want to upset her.

He nodded, grabbing the rest of the food and packing it up so she can eat at the show as well. "You two go on ahead, you don't wanna be late." Once they left he dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out the coupon.

Alright Justice. This isn't going to be so bad...maybe you can try one of those German beers. They seem to knock Ms. Von Karma around, so why not you.

Trucy bounced excitedly as she and Phoenix made their way to the WonderBar. "I hope they like my show, Daddy! What do you think I should open with? Do you think they'll like Mr. Hat?"

"Of course they will," Phoenix continued to smile. "How could they not?"

"The old people didn't," Trucy looked upset. "I still don't know why though..."

Phoenix sighed, "I don't know Trucy...maybe old people just don't like magic." He shrugged. "Anyway, we're here, you go on backstage, alright?" Once Trucy excitedly went backstage, he sat down at the bar.

Apollo had eventually caught up to the others. He took a seat outside next to Mr. Wright. "Sorry I'm late, I...had some inner kinks to work out. So when does she go up?"

"In half an hour," Phoenix checked his watch. He ordered two beers, and slid one over to Apollo. "Don't worry, we're not going to get crazy drunk or anything." He laughed at the idea.