There had been a heat wave for about a week and the snow and ice were starting to melt. This was the first heat wave in over sixty years, and it was disrupting every day life. Not everyone was phased by the natural event. The Flashblade brothers were having the time of their lives. Nosedive was two, and Wildwing six. Neither one had ever seen the snow melt and both were entranced by the phenomena.

"Pwease Wing," Dive begged. He had been begging Wildwing for days to go outside so he could play in the puddles.

"I don't know Dive."

"Pwease," Nosedive looked up at his older brother with big blue eyes filled with hope.

Wildwing looked around the room hoping his parents were nearby to say no. They were not, so Wing gave in to his little brother's wishes.

"Oh, all right, Dive. But only for a few minutes."

"Fank you Wing!" Nosedive said cheerfully as he waddled to the door. He made a couple of attempts to reach the door handle, but failed.

"Hold on, Dive. Let me get it for you."

"No! Me do."

"Okay Dive, you can do it," Wildwing lifted Nosedive up so he could reach the doorknob. Dive opened the door and Wing put him down. Dive rushed outside, slipped and fell. Because the sidewalk was wet it was slippery and Dive went sliding down the sidewalk on his diaper. That was when it hit Wildwing, Nosedive wasn't dressed! His parents were going to kill him! Wildwing raced after Nosedive, who was now on his feet and waddling down the street.

"Come on Dive, time to go home."

"No home, me play!"

"Nosedive, you can play again once you get dressed." *Did I just say that? Man I'm starting to sound like dad,* Wing thought to himself.

"No dress, me play."

"But you're naked"

Nosedive gave Wing a confused look, "no me not."

"Yes you are."

Nosedive started to take off his diaper, "now me butt naked."

"No Dive! Keep your diaper on!" Wildwing shouted as he heaved Dive's diaper back up to his waist.

Nosedive laughed at Wing, "you so funny."

Wildwing gave up. It was a futile battle to try to get Dive dressed now. Instead he stood back and watched his little brother happily jump up and down in the puddles.

"Splash, splash, splash. Me go splash!" Nosedive happily sang as he kicked the water.

"Wildwing! Nosedive!" Mrs. Flashblade called from inside the house.

Wildwing jumped. His mother was going to kill him for letting Nosedive run around outside half naked. "Come on Dive."

"No! Me play, you play. Come Wing, play."

"Mom's calling us."

"No, play!"

"She's got cookies."

"Cookies?"

"Yeah, cookies."

Nosedive thought about the proposed treat. He loved cookies especially when they were hot out of the oven. That was when they were warm and squishy. Nosedive started towards Wing and the house. He stepped into a puddle and looked down at the water. Hmmm what a difficult choice. Cookies or play in the puddles? Decisions, decisions "No, me play!"

Wildwing slapped his forehead. Why couldn't Nosedive be easier to manage? SPLASH!

Nosedive stood in front of Wildwing and smiled up at his now soaking wet older brother. Nosedive smiled and jumped in the puddle again. The water splashed into Wildwing's face and Dive laughed. Mrs. Flashblade, who was standing in the doorway, laughed when she saw Dive splash Wing. She laughed a little harder when Wildwing's shocked expression changed to his mischievous little smile. She could tell that Wildwing was now going to start a splash war with his little brother. As she watched the two boys play her husband joined her in the doorway.

Nosedive squealed with delight as Wildwing splashed the chilled water on his feathers. Dive tried to escape, but Wildwing refused to let his brother make a hasty get away. Mr. Flashblade soon joined in the game and after an hour the three were soaked to the bone.

Wildwing sighed and shook himself free of the happy memory. No matter how bad life got, Dive was always happy. Sometimes it made him sick. How could someone always have a positive view on life? He use to be like that, but when did he loose it? Was it in high school? After the invasion, or was it here on Earth? No he hadn't lost his carefree side. He still had a positive outlook on life, he just took things more seriously then Dive. Thinking of Dive made him wonder how two brothers could be so different. When they were younger, they seemed to be siamese twins. Dive worshiped him and wanted to be just like him. He loved having Dive around and always looking up to him. It made their family close. That was what made his family unique. They loved each other and could always depend on one another. If he ever had a problem he could talk to his parents. If Dive ever needed anything he was there to help him. Dive knew all his deepest secrets, hopes and desires. They never fighted, well almost never, when they were kids. They were the dynamic duo. Nothing could separate them. When did they start to drift apart? High school? No, Wildwing was always there for Dive. College? No, even though he was gone most of the year they still talked every night on the phone and he would come home on the weekends. The invasion? No, they were together even then. If it hadn't been for Nosedive and his constant cheerfulness, he would never had made it out of the camps alive. He wondered had their parents made it? Were they alive? Would he ever see them again? And what about Canard and his other high school friends? Someday they may meet again.

Wildwing shook his head and tried to answer his question about when he and Nosedive had grown apart. It was when he took the mask from Canard. Not right away, but after he committed himself as leader. He couldn't be big brother, team captain, best friend, mentor, and disciplinary all at the same time. Well, not in Dive's eyes, anyway. Wildwing's mind wandered back to Puckworld and their parents. No matter how mad he had made them, no matter how much trouble he was in their dad never lost his cool. Even though at some times he came close to loosing it, he never did. He never raised his hand; his voice yes, but never did he strike either of them. How could he have been so stupid and strike Dive? His dad would have grounded him for life, or disowned him for hurting Nosedive. "Well I guess I'm out of the family now," Wing mumbled to himself. The sun started to set and his knee was starting to ache from inactivity. Wildwing decided to head back to the Pond and try to patch things up with Dive.