I do not own the Brotherhood of Guardians or Knuckles. They are copyright to their respective owners.

"Are you sure he won't be able to get in here?" asked Sojourner.

"I'm positive," replied Locke. He was busy working on a door, doing his best to enhance the locks upon it. "By the time I'm done, Enerjak himself won't be able to get in here."

"Don't be so sure Locke," Thunderhawk grumbled. "This is my father we're talking about here. He doesn't give up so easily."

"I know Grandfather, believe me, I know," Locke said, gritting his teeth.

"We'll keep him out," Sabre replied. "We'll make sure he gives up, even if all four of us have to use our chaos powers to keep him from getting through that door."

"There, I do believe we are ready to go," Spectre said as he closed the back of the car. "All we need now are my sons."

"I'm surprised you actually agreed to my idea," said Athair who was sitting cross-legged in the air a few feet away.

"So am I," Spectre said quietly, surprised at having agreed to Athair's idea in the first place.

Athair had appeared in Haven a few days ago, concerned about the lack of father-son love between the members of the Brotherhood. Fearful that the organization could fall apart on itself, he suggested some quality father-son time by taking everyone on a camping trip. Absolute chaos is how one might describe the reaction to Athair's words. Thunderhawk and Sojourner both screamed at the very idea, Locke insisted that Athair that had gone insane and Sabre just glared at his father. Spectre sat quietly, mulling over how Athair came up with that idea while the fire ants chipped in their two cents by saying that Athair's idea was an excellent one.

How Spectre was even able to think amidst all the commotion is mystery unto itself but for some reason Athair's idea didn't seem all that bad of one. Perhaps the reactions of his son and grandson's helped fuel his approval of the idea. There wasn't a lot of father-son bonding happening in Haven and it seemed that the members of the Brotherhood spent more time arguing than cooperating. Perhaps some time away from Haven in the peaceful serenity of Mother Nature was the remedy necessary to fix the strained relationships. Why not go all out, Spectre had thought as he put serious consideration into the idea. They could get one of those big sports utility vehicles, pack up camping supplies and hit the roads like normal families. If nothing else he could drive his sons insane and that was always a pleasurable idea to Spectre given how crazy everyone else drove him.

"How long are you guys going to be gone?" asked Knuckles, who stood off to the side watching as Spectre and Athair prepared for the trip.

Spectre, in what Thunderhawk called his greatest moment of insanity, decided to leave Haven in Knuckles' care while they were away for the trip. Locke was more than happy to have Knuckles around and show him the inner workings of Haven while Thunderhawk and Sojourner complained that Knuckles was too young and inexperienced for such a duty. All it took to quiet those two down was for Spectre to unleash his infamous temper upon them.

"About two week's child," Athair responded. "That should more than enough time for us to camp, fish, hike, sing songs, become one with nature, and all that fun stuff." Spectre shook his head. Surviving two weeks in the wild with Athair and his sons was going to be a real test of attrition.

"We need to get going if we're going to reach the campground by nightfall," Spectre said. "Where is everybody?"

"They have all locked themselves in the bathroom, Grandfather," Athair said with another smile.

"The ultimate act of desperation," Spectre said with a sigh. "Which bathroom?"

Athair pointed down the hall to the one near the surveillance room. Spectre headed off to retrieve his errant relatives, Athair not far behind and Knuckles, not wanting to miss the fun, followed. Spectre could hear voices from inside the bathroom as he approached. They locked themselves in the same bathroom? He decided it was better to not ponder the issue and began pounding on the door. The noise from inside immediately quieted down.

"It's time to go!" Spectre shouted, still pounding on the door. "Get out here now!"

"We're not going!" Sabre replied.

"You're going whether you all like it or not!" Spectre shouted back.

"Make us!" Sojourner shouted. "Ow!"

"Don't encourage him," growled Thunderhawk, who had clocked Sojourner across the head.

Spectre sighed. He didn't feel like forcing his way in, though he knew could easily get past Locke's defensive set up. Better for everyone, and the décor, if they opened the door themselves, a task which did not seem too difficult to Spectre. They just needed the proper… persuasion.

"Come. Out. Of. There. Now!" Spectre screamed, emphasizing each word with a pound against the door. "Come out of there or I'll spank each and every one of you!"

Athair raised an eyebrow, looking half surprised, half amused and Knuckles almost choked with laughter. The only thing that could be heard from the bathroom could be described as stunned silence. And it lasted for all of five seconds.

"He wouldn't really do that would he?" Locke whispered to his father.

"Knowing Spectre, he very well could," Sabre replied.

"Oh come now, my father isn't that insane," Thunderhawk sniffed. His stern demeanor became an embarrassed one when he noticed the other three were staring at him.

"Um, excuse me, but have you forgotten that he wants us to go camping! With Athair for that matter!" Sojourner reminded his father. Another pound on the door startled them and they turned to face the door in fear, expecting it to come off its hinges any second.

"We're not going!" Thunderhawk screamed. Sojourner, Locke, and Sabre all added their consensus.

"Fine, have it your way," Spectre said coolly before turning to Athair. "Find me a good paddle."

"As you wish, Grandfather," Athair said with a mock salute before floating off to find something. Knuckles simply stared at Spectre. He didn't think the black furred echidna was serious. Neither did the group hiding in the bathroom.

The sound of a door unlocking was heard and the bathroom door was cracked open a smidge and four sets of incredulous eyes peaked out from behind it.

"You're not serious are you?" Sabre asked quietly.

"No, I'm not," Spectre replied with a smirk. "I just wanted to get you to open the door."
He forced the door open with his chaos power, knocking all four men back against the far wall. They quickly scrambled back on to their feet and huddled against the furthest corner of the bathroom.

"We don't want to go," Sojourner whined from behind his father.

"Tough," was all Spectre said before telekinetically seizing each male and tossing him out of the bathroom.

Knuckles, who had peaked in the watch any fireworks, yelped and ducked out of the way to avoid being hit as his father and grandfathers came flying out. He watched in amazement as they formed a heap by the wall, each groaning in pain and protest. Spectre came out of the bathroom with a twisted smirk on his face that made Knuckles just a little nervous. Spectre could be downright dangerous when he was in one of his odd moods.

"Was that necessary father?" Thunderhawk grumbled.

"Just as necessary as this," Spectre said as he telekinetically grabbed all four males by a spine on their heads.

He tugged, forcing each protesting male to his feet and then marched down the corridor half pulling the four the echidnas behind him. To Knuckles it looked like they were being held and dragged by the ear by the way their heads were tilted to the side and their awkward gait. Knuckles struggled to avoid laughing aloud at the sight before him as he followed the group back to the vehicle.

"Get in the car, now!" Spectre commanded as he released his hold over his sons.

They all grumbled in protest until they saw Athair flying down the hallway with something large and flat in his hands. Spectre and Knuckles watched, surprised by the sudden change in attitude, as all four quickly got into the car. It wasn't until Athair stopped right next to Spectre that they saw why. Athair had found a large, flat pillow but the guys must have mistaken it for an actual paddle from a distance.

"That's not quite what I had in mind Athair," Spectre said, eyeing the pillow.

"I thought you were kidding," Athair said, surprised. He honestly thought his grandfather was joking and went off to hunting just to humor him.

"I was kidding," Spectre confirmed. "Anyway, get in. You're driving." Athair let out a whoop of joy and danced a round a little. His little jig ended up taking him right into the bumper of the car.

"Could we please avoid damaging this thing," Spectre said with a slight tone of exasperation. "I had to fork over a heavy deposit for this vehicle and I'd like to get it all back."

"Sorry," Athair replied. He steadied himself and fixed some of the beads in his spines before moving to get into the car. He proceeded to climb into the driver's seat and Knuckles noticed the look of sheer terror on the faces of his fathers.

"Are you sure you want Athair to drive?" Knuckles asked as visions of horrendous car accidents flew through his mind.

"Not really," Spectre replied. "However I'm not in the mood to drive and if I let any of my other sons drive we'll never reach our destination. I trust you'll take good care of things while we're gone?"

"Of course I will Grandfather," Knuckles said, plans of his own already going through his mind.

"Very well then. We'll see you in two weeks."

Spectre climbed into the car and several seconds later Athair had the car started up and pulled it out of Haven. Knuckles waved pleasantly as the vehicle passed out of sight taking one loony, one stressed-out, and four unhappy echidnas with it. Once the car was out of sight, Knuckles raced back into Haven to see what kind of trouble he could get in to.

I should have picked a closer location.

That's all Spectre could think about as Athair drove down the main highway far into the forests of the Acorn Kingdom. Driving by car, especially for such a long period of time, was near unbearable and having to listen to Athair sing the whole way wasn't helping matters. It didn't really bother Spectre that much but the older echidna would have preferred a completely quiet car trip. Athair tried in vain to get everyone to play some kind of game. Eye spy. Twenty questions. He even tried to start a sing-a-long to no success. Getting the Brotherhood to bond in any shape, way, or form was going to prove to be a lot more difficult than he originally thought.

The four males in back were all in bad moods. Stuck in the backseat of a car, squished into each other's personal space, listening to Athair sing, and having Spectre snap at them every so often when one complained too much was getting to be more than any of them could bear. The tension in the car was growing with every passing hour and it was all about to boil over.

"How far away from Angel Island are we going?" Sabre asked. He had been the quietest of the group since he was the most patient, next to Athair. That and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of Spectre's wrath.

"I told you," Spectre said with a resigned sigh. "That it was an all day trip. We still have a couple hours left to go."

"Can't we make a pit stop?" Sabre asked, trying his best to not sound like he was whining. "I think we could all use a good stretch."

"No, because one of you will try to run away again," Spectre replied, referring to an earlier incident when Sojourner tried to sneak away while they had stopped for a bite to eat.

"Why should we have to pay for my son's stupidity?" Thunderhawk complained, which earned him a look from Sojourner. "Besides, I really need to use the bathroom."

"Tell Locke to move over and roll down a window," Spectre said. Thunderhawk made an indignant noise at the very idea.

"Now Grandfather," Athair said soothingly, reaching a hand over to pat Spectre on the shoulder. The glare Spectre shot back did not have its desired effect and Athair kept patting him. "We don't want to get pulled over by the Royal Guard again."

"That was Locke's fault, remember," Sojourner piped in.

Spectre sighed and slumped down further in his seat. That was something he badly wanted to forget. Locke, desperate to get of this, decided to sit in the back of vehicle under the reasoning that it was just crowded in the back seat. What Spectre didn't discover until later was that Locke had put duct tape over his mouth, kept his hands behind his back, and proceeded to move about like his was struggling. To anyone passing by, they would have seen a struggling echidna (from about mid-chest up) that looked like he had been kidnapped. Spectre questioned him once about what he was doing back there and while it took Locke a couple of seconds to respond, he insisted that he was just relaxing. Since Spectre was thankful that one of his sons was being quiet, he didn't think any more of it. At least he didn't until the Royal Guard pulled them over.

Athair was all worked up, insisting that he was obeying all the traffic laws. He was growing more and more hysterical by the minute until he was bawling at the top of his lungs. While one guardsman worked with him, another was on the other side questioning Spectre, trying to get him out of the car. Spectre finally obliged, hoping to get rid of the guard, when he was turned around and forced against the side of the car, hands cuffed behind his back, with his rights being read to him. He demanded answers as Sabre, Thunderhawk, and Sojourner were all being forced out of the car as well. He about had a fit when the guardsman said kidnapping. How the guard could have thought was beyond him until he glanced up towards the back of the car and saw Locke looking out the window in shock, a piece of duct tape over his mouth. He glared at Locke in fury and the younger echidna slowly sunk down beneath the window with a terrified, if not slightly embarrassed, look on his face.

It took a good half hour to convince the guard it was a joke and Locke had to confess that he was just pretending in hopes of getting out of the camping trip, all while cringing under Spectre's death glare. If looks could kill the guard would have been taking Locke away in a body bag. Spectre wanted so badly to strangle his grandson but he restrained himself lest he be arrested for attempted murder. Once the guard left, Locke made a quick dash to get in the back of the car again, to stay as far away from Spectre as possible but Spectre insisted that he sit in the back seat where he could see him. Locke had remained quiet since then, he eyes downcast so he couldn't see the glares Spectre gave him every few minutes.

"Locke will pay for that once we reach the campsite," Spectre said, giving his grandson another glare through the rear-view mirror.

Locke fidgeted a little, wanting desperately to jump out of the car and disappear. Sabre reached behind Thunderhawk to give his son a reassuring pat on the shoulder but it didn't help. Everyone knew Locke was toast. The car was quiet again, save for Athair, who was humming still, seemingly lost in his own little world. No one said anything for about half an hour until the guys couldn't stay silent anymore.

"Are we there yet?" Asked Sojourner.

"No, we are not there yet," Spectre replied, wishing that his sons would for once just stop asking questions and remain quiet.

"Are we there yet?" Thunderhawk asked.

"No, son, we are not there yet," Spectre replied with a slight growl.

"Are we there yet?" All four echidnas asked.

"No," Spectre replied.

"Are we there yet?" All four echidnas asked again.

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No!"

"Are we there yet?"

"No!" Spectre screamed, turning to face his sons. "How many times do I have to tell you that we won't be there for another couple of hours? If one of you little bastards asks that question one more time..."

The four echidnas fell quiet as Spectre glowered at them. He stared at them for a good five minutes until he was sure no one was going to say anything before turning back around. Once again things were quiet and Spectre leaned back in his chair hoping to enjoy it. He savored the peace for about fifteen minutes until a certain green vested echidna opened his mouth.

"Are we there yet?"

"Stop the car!" Spectre bellowed.

Athair slammed on the brakes, throwing everyone forward with the momentum. Spectre undid his seat belt and got quickly out of the car. Two seconds later the passenger side door opened and Spectre's white-gloved hand grabbed Sojourner by his vest and yanked him out of the car. Thunderhawk, Sabre, and Locke turned their heads to watch as Spectre dragged a pleading Sojourner to the back of the vehicle. Athair remained where he was, eyes closed, humming a song, slowly swaying his body to rhythm, completely unfazed by what was going on.

Spectre had opened the back hatch, grabbed something, closed the hatch and the next thing anyone knew, there were noises coming from on top of the roof. Sojourner's screaming protests were muffled as the banging continued. After a couple more minutes the banging stopped and Spectre jumped down from the top of the roof. Sabre and Locke both latched on to Thunderhawk in fright while the older echidna wrapped a protective arm around each grandson. Spectre climbed in to the car and settled himself into his seat before turning his head to look at his grandsons.

"Anyone else have anything to say?" He asked dangerously. The three echidnas shook their heads furiously, terror plastered on their faces. "Good."

The rest of the trip continued on uneventfully. Sabre, Thunderhawk, and Locke remained huddled next to one another, too afraid to speak while Spectre relaxed in the front, finally able to enjoy some much needed peace and quiet. Once again they were getting stares from people passing by but no one in the car paid them any attention. As for the fellow travelers on the road, they felt it was better to not wonder about the green vested echidna tied to the roof the car.