Disclaimer : The Brotherhood and Knuckles belong to Archie and Sega, but I do own Blade the Echidna, son of Knuckles and Rouge the Bat. For those who didn't notice it, I'm not very fond of the Knuckles / Julie-Su pairing, I prefer Knuckles / Rouge ! Enjoy anyway !

Having Fun

Sabre the Echidna sighed, and breathed deeply. He was just outside the cave leading to Haven's main entrance. He felt like he needed some sunlight, so he got out. Or should I say up, because Haven was actually underground.

He took another deep breath and stirred ; it was a long time since he's been exercising. He settled for a walk in the woods, as so he began pacing through bushes, searching for a singing bird, a nice stream, or even a worm for that matter.

If I happen to find some strange insect, I could bring it to Haven. Then I could show it to Locke, and we could examine it and maybe even create a new race… and who am I fooling ?

Sabre sighed once again, and sat down on a rock. No, he wasn't fooling anyone, not even himself. He was not looking for birds, worms or streams. He was looking for something to do.

Things had been quite calm these days, and Sabre had the annoying that he was getting old. He had thought about that fact since last week ; since Knuckles' visit at Haven. He had brought his five years-old son, Blade, with him.

The little red echidna was looking exactly like his father : same fur colour, same amethyst eyes, same white crescent on his chest. But he had his mother's quick mind and acute senses. Knuckles' guts and Rouge's brain. He was quite the boy, wasn't he ? Athair called him an 'angel without wings', whereas Spectre referred to him as the 'half-witted demon'.

Knuckles' son. Sabre's third-son. I don't think I'm ready to be called Third-father… Time is passing by so fast… It seems it was just yesterday I held Locke for the first time.

He smiled at the thought, remembering of happy times. But he shook his head, clearing his mind ; now wasn't the time to be nostalgic. He had to find something to do, quickly, or he would die of boredom. He got up and resumed walking.

A paper flying by collided with his face. Taking it off, he cast it away while grumbling that humans were so uncaring these days. Throwing dirty things in the woods like that. Never one second had it occurred to him to look at the paper, let alone read it.

Hands clasped behind his back, Sabre made his way in the forest, trying to find an interest in the trees and leaves. But he found none, so he just kept walking till he came across a stream. By the looks of it, it was two feet deep, and narrow enough to jump over it. Sabre stopped walking, for the first time really enjoying the view.

The calm waters were reflecting sunrays, casting a bright though not blinding light on the place. The slight breeze made the leaves look like they were alive, and the wind carried the sound of a singing bird to Sabre. Finally relaxed, the former Guardian sat down on the grass and closed his eyes. There, he felt at peace, at calm. Since there was nothing to do, a nap couldn't hurt.

He was slowly drifting off, but slumber didn't take him entirely. For the paper from earlier got stuck to his face again. Growling, Sabre ripped it off. He threw it away, but the wind got it flying back to him. It looked like he wouldn't have peace till he read the stupid thing. The red echidna sighed, picking the paper up. Why fight it ?

Frowning, Sabre looked down at the paper. Actually, it was a leaflet. A bright coloured leaflet which title was 'Come and have fun at Twinkle Park !'. Suddenly interested, Sabre read the leaflet quickly, his eyes drifting from one ride to another, from one text to another. While he was reading, a smile was widening on his lips, matched with raised eyebrows. Finishing, he jumped to his feet and tucked the leaflet in his pocket.

Only listening to what his heart told him, he ran full speed back to Haven.

Spectre the Echidna groaned inwardly. During summer, being dark furred wasn't always pleasant. Add to that a robotic visor, and you won't ever need a sauna ! Even Haven's controlled temperature couldn't cool down the intense heat coming from outside. For the umpteenth time, he walked toward the kitchen to get a glass of water.

In the corridors, Athair was still making a fool out of himself, as Spectre liked to say. He was doing cartwheels while bouncing on the ceiling. Heat or not, Athair was always hyper and happy about it. His kindness could melt even the biggest glacier, and warm up the coldest heart.

And sometimes his happiness could irritate even the most patient one.

When will I ever find the 'off' button… thought the elder while making his way, past his hyper Fourth-son. Then he saw Thunderhawk getting out of a room, also walking toward the kitchen. Looks like I'm not the only one suffering from heat…

Indeed, the lavender echidna's bangs were plastered on his forehead by sweat, and his eyes were half-closed. Thunderhawk liked the snow and the cold, but hated heat and couldn't stand it. And Spectre knew it better than anyone else. He got to his son's side, slightly concerned.

"Are you all right, son ?" he asked, putting a hand on Thunderhawk's shoulder.

"I will be, Father" the younger one said, smiling weakly. "I'm just… a little tired"

"Bored out of your mind, you mean" a third voice piped in. Locke's. He was walking toward them, trying his best to avoid being knocked over by Athair's antics. "I've been trying to fix the temperature regulator, but I'm afraid I'll just end up making it worse"

"Don't worry, it's normal. Climatic change… we'll be used to it in a few days" Spectre assured.

"I hope you're right…" grumbled Sojourner, joining the conversation. "I'm not too crazy about sweating to death". To make a good point, he shook sweat off his spines, gritting his teeth. "I feel like I lost at least ten pounds !"

"Who is up for a glass of icy water ?" Locke proposed, inking a thumb in the kitchen's direction.

All nodded, and so they made their way toward salvation. They were almost there, when the door of the elevator bay shot open, and in came a very excited Sabre. He was waving at them with some sort of coloured paper, grinning like mad. He sped toward Spectre, and stopped abruptly, firmly planted in front of his Fifth-father.

"Wow, that's some way to hit the brakes" Locke whispered, impressed.

"Look at this !" Sabre said cheerfully, waving the paper. "Isn't it wonderful ?"

"Wait, hold it still"

Spectre tried to focus on the sheet of paper passing back and forth before his eyes. He finally lost patience and snatched it to have a better look. It was a carnival park leaflet, painted in bright colours and describing rides and attractions. He turned it over, but there was nothing behind. He wondered what his Fifth-son had in mind…

"So what ?" the dark echidna asked.

"What what ? Don't you see ?"

"Ah, yes, I see perfectly… You should go to your room and lie down some time, Sabre. The heat is really getting to you."

"You shouldn't have gone out" Thunderhawk scowled. "Did you get a sunburn ?"

"No ! Look. At. This" Sabre insisted, emphasising each word. "Doesn't it seem fun ?"

"Fun ? I don't see what you mean"

"You know, fun… As in amusing, laughing. Fun !" Sabre said.

"I know what fun means ! I asked you what you were implying" Spectre grunted.

"Well, since we haven't got anything to do and we're risking death from boredom, I thought that maybe we could… go there ?" Sabre asked hopefully.

Spectre's eyes widened, shocked. He wouldn't have thought Sabre would come up with such an idea. The others were as amused as he was incredulous. Locke guffawed, putting his hands over his mouth to hide his laughter. Thunderhawk and Sojourner chuckled a bit, thinking Sabre has gone mad.

"Go… there ?" Spectre repeated. "I don't see why"

"Oh, come on, Spectre ! Don't tell me we have better things to do ! And we could go there with Knuckles, Rouge and Blade, too !"

"Like they would agree…"

The argument was so loud Athair stopping flying in circles and came over to see what was going on. He caught sight of the leaflet, and immediately grinned widely.

"Oh, peachy ! We're going to an amusement park ! I'm going to call Knuckles !"

Then he flew away toward the surveillance room, half humming half whispering 'Fun, fun, fun…'. Spectre turned slowly and dangerously to face Sabre, baring some of his teeth.

"You're happy now ?"

"Does this mean we're going ?"

Spectre sighed, but couldn't lie. Athair was probably talking to Knuckles, and beside, it could be amusing, for once…

"Yes, it does"

"Thanks Spectre !" Sabre exclaimed, saved from another boring day.

Here's the first chapter. I'm thinking about making them longer, what do you think ?