Once again, I own none of the characters. The usual disclaimers apply.
"Wouldn't it have been easier to take the car?"
Spectre rolled his eyes. He expected his sons to complain about the hiking expedition, especially Sojourner, who specialized in whining. Athair, who spotted the lake in the distance a couple days ago, was all gung-ho about the trip but he was up for just about anything. Locke and Sabre didn't complain all that much. Even Sojourner kept his whining to a minimum, much to Spectre's surprise. Thunderhawk however just wouldn't shut up and kept asking question after question. That wasn't anything new; Thunderhawk made complaining a regular habit.
"Quite griping," Spectre said. "This is good exercise and judging from the way you've been having trouble keeping up with us, I say you're in desperate need of it."
"These old bones aren't as nimble as they used to be," Thunderhawk replied, panting slightly.
"Oh please," Spectre muttered before turning around. He walked back towards his son, who was now sitting on a rock trying to catch his breath. Spectre looked at him with a small degree of displeasure for a couple seconds before addressing him again. "I'm older than you and I'm not having any problems at all. Sojourner isn't that much younger than you and he's doing fine. You just don't exercise enough, that's all."
"I do too," Thunderhawk insisted. He gave his father a slight pout. "I just don't work out as heavily as I used too."
"Maybe you should," Spectre replied. "After all, how can we safeguard the Master Emerald and the island if we're not physically fit enough to do so?"
"Cut him some slack, Grandfather," Locke said, earning him a look of gratitude from Thunderhawk. "He is an old fart after all." The look of gratitude immediately turned to one of resentment.
Spectre smirked. "If I had known you were in such desperate need of exercise I would have sent you farther up into the mountains to collect berries."
Thunderhawk winced. There was something about carrying a basket of berries through the forest that made him feel so… well, effeminate. He knew it was a sexist way of thinking but his male ego and stubborn pride just didn't like it. However, he did take comfort in the fact that Spectre forced everyone to gather berries though he had the feeling that he and Sojourner received the brunt of the work due to their fishing pole battle a couple days earlier.
"Now get up and let's go. I'd like to try and get as close to the lake as possible before dark," Spectre said, turning around to march back to front of the line.
"Did we have to carry so much equipment?" Thunderhawk asked to no one in particular.
"Would you prefer to not have a tent to sleep in?" Spectre replied, his voice giving indication that he could very well leave him without any comforts what so ever.
"I think what father means," Sojourner said, "is why didn't we pack more food instead?"
"Because we can always catch or gather more," Spectre replied matter of factly.
"Not to sound like I'm complaining," Sabre began before Spectre cut him off.
"But you're going to anyway, right?" Spectre turned his head towards Sabre, giving his grandchild a knowing look.
"All I was going to say is that eating nothing but fish can get a little old. Perhaps a little variety in our diet would help."
Spectre whirled around and held his arms out, gesturing to the flora around them. "Help yourself, Sabre. I'm sure there's plenty here to suit your taste buds."
Sabre smiled weakly, conceding his position. Trying to argue with Spectre about food was a waste of time. They were in the woods and would just have to make do with they had available. Spectre insisted this was even better for them than he originally thought because every Guardian had to learn how to survive in the wilderness and living off of fish and berries was nothing if it meant survival. The Brotherhood had gotten lazy from living safely in Haven and Spectre insisted that such laziness and dependency on technology could get them killed if they were ever forced to be without.
The group continued on in silence, Spectre in the lead with Locke and Sabre behind him, Sojourner farther back, and Thunderhawk bringing up the rear. Athair floated in the air above the group. He floated back and forth through the trees, fully enjoying himself, unaware of the fact that some of his relatives were a bit jealous of his ability to float around while they had to walk. He was upset that he couldn't get his fathers and sons to enjoy the hike a bit more. Trying to encourage to Brotherhood to have any fun was like trying to encourage the Legion to give up technology. At the very least they could have played a game by naming the different trees and plants and what was poisonous and what wasn't.
He turned his gaze downwards to watch the group below him. Spectre was always in the lead but he was the oldest and considered to be the wisest and most experienced. However he usually allowed Sabre to take charge of things a majority of the time. Sabre was the most patient and diplomatic and he could usually restore order to things before Spectre was forced to interfere a majority of the time. Athair was quite proud of his son. If only Sabre would open up to him a bit more. Athair knew that his decision to not go to Janelle-Li's bedside as she lay dying created a deep rift between the two. He wanted to be there but the tribe needed him and he couldn't afford to leave them, not then.
Athair sighed sadly before turning his attention to his grandson Locke, who was walking along side his father. Locke's attitude was so much like his namesake. He kept his feelings bottled up and it seemed impossible to get him to open up unless someone was able to break through the shell he hid in. Communication never was Locke's strong point. While Locke was very close to his father, Sabre himself had a hard time getting Locke to recognize and deal with his own feelings and needs. Locke denied himself so much and Athair was afraid the young male would grow up full of regret and pain without ever truly enjoying life. Perhaps what Locke needed was time away from Haven and his work as a Guardian.
With another wistful sigh Athair turned his attention away from Locke to focus on the stragglers in back. He loved his grandfathers but he couldn't help but wonder why they always complained so much. Sojourner usually liked taking the easy way out and didn't care to associate much with outsiders. Thunderhawk wasn't against hard work but he was very opinionated and seemed to have the idea that everyone was entitled to hear them at any given time. What really drove Athair and everyone else crazy was how often the two of them bickered with one another. Those two were always getting on each other's nerves. Athair knew that the two cared for one another despite the bickering. Both were just far two stubborn to admit it.
"Alright, I have to make a pit stop," Sojourner said, breaking the silence.
"Why didn't you go earlier?" Spectre asked with a sigh.
"I didn't want to," Sojourner whined as he began to dance in place. "I'd rather not go in the bushes if I didn't have to but now I have to go really bad."
"Just because you're not a wild animal doesn't mean you can't use the forest as restroom like the rest of them do when necessary," Sabre replied. He couldn't believe how uptight Sojourner was being about the whole thing.
"Look," Spectre said, cutting off Sojourner before he could speak. "Just find a spot in the bushes and go. I don't want to listen to you whine about it for the rest of the day."
"But what if a wild animal bites me in the butt?" Sojourner asked. He was struggling to hold it in at this point. Locke was fighting to avoid laughing at his anal grandfather while Thunderhawk silently grumbled about his son.
"That's life," Spectre replied, trying his best to keep his temper. "Now go answer nature's call or I'll forbid you from ever using the restrooms in Haven again."
Sojourner replied with a nervous grin before turning tail and running into a heavy patch of bushes. Thunderhawk, Sabre, and Spectre all sighed in varying degrees of exasperation. Sojourner could be a real piece of work at times. Locke on the other hand was staring at the bushes Sojourner had disappeared into. He couldn't help but feel that there was something familiar about them but he couldn't put his finger on what. Something about those leaves. Athair on the other hand was busy swaying back and forth, like he was a tree being blown about by the breeze. No one said anything while they waited for Sojourner to finish his business and after a few minutes they became so accustomed to the silence that Sojourner's sudden cry for help startled each and every one of them.
"Hang on son," cried Thunderhawk as he took off into the bushes. "I'm coming!" As much as Sojourner annoyed him at times, he was still his son and Thunderhawk couldn't bear the idea of Sojourner being seriously harmed.
"Wait! Don't come closer!" Sojourner cried, stopping Thunderhawk in his tracks. Athair was floating right behind him and Spectre was a short distance away. Sabre and Locke were further back, having come to a stop before entering the bushes.
"What's wrong son?" Thunderhawk shouted. He could see the top of Sojourner's head a short distance away. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine," Sojourner replied. He tried to keep his voice calm but he was blushing furiously at his predicament and was grateful that no one was close enough to see.
"Then what's wrong?" Spectre screamed.
"I… I for-" Sojourner started before trailing off. If Spectre didn't know any better he could have sworn Sojourner sounded a little embarrassed.
"I'll come help you!" Athair insisted, floating towards his grandfather.
"No, don't!" Sojourner said, waving his arms wildly for Athair to stop. "I'm not done going yet!" Athair stopped short at those words and immediately flew back to the path where Sabre and Locke stood, looking just a little grossed out.
"Why on Mobius did you cry out for help then?" Thunderhawk shouted in frustration.
"I don't have anything to wipe with," Sojourner admitted.
A loud laugh was heard and Thunderhawk and Spectre both turned to see Locke on the ground, howling with laughter. Sabre was chuckling and Athair was fighting the urge to laugh as wildly as Locke was. Spectre and Thunderhawk exchanged glances. Spectre looked rather amused himself and Thunderhawk couldn't decide if he should laugh at his son or die of humiliation. My own son can't even take a crap in the woods without having a problem. Dear Aurora, where did I go wrong?
Thunderhawk shook those thoughts from his head. He tromped back to the edge of the bushes to grab some tissue from Sabre who had dug some out from his knapsack. He took the box and walked back into the bushes until he was within throwing distance.
"Here!" Thunderhawk shouted, a might disgruntled, as he tossed the box at his son. The box bounced off of Sojourner's head, and he caught and held the box like it was some rare treasure.
"Thank you Father!" Sojourner exclaimed.
"Just hurry up so we can get going," Thunderhawk replied. He turned around and walked out of the bushes to stand with his father and sons, all of whom were still laughing at Sojourner's dilemma.
"I don't know what I did to deserve such a son," Thunderhawk said with a huff.
"I often wonder the same thing," Spectre replied with a smirk. "If you ever figure out an answer to that question, please let me know." Thunderhawk glared at his father however, Spectre's voice and face carried no hint of malice. After a couple seconds Thunderhawk realized that Spectre was teasing him and the glare softened.
"Oh come now, learn to laugh a little now and then," Spectre said, patting his son on the shoulder.
Despite his desire to grumble about this he couldn't help but admit that Spectre had a point. The whole scenario was funny and if nothing else had something to throw in his son's face for a couple weeks. After a couple more minutes, Sojourner came out of the bushes looking flustered, his face as red as his fur. He knew he wasn't going to hear the end of this for a long time.
"Feel better now?" Spectre asked, a smirk still on his face. Sojourner only nodded, feeling too embarrassed to speak. "Good, now let's get moving."
Spectre resumed his position at the front and the group moved forward again. Sabre and Locke followed close behind with Sabre trying to get Locke to stop laughing but the young male couldn't help but chuckle every time he had a chance to think about Sojourner's mishap. Athair floated behind them, back in his own little world. He came out of it briefly to cast a glance back behind him and was heartened to see Thunderhawk and Sojourner walking side by side this time. He watched them for a couple seconds before returning to his imaginary world.
"Don't worry son," Thunderhawk said, putting an arm around Sojourner. "It happens to the best of us." He tried to be serious but he just couldn't fight the grin on his face.
"You're not going to let me live this down are you?" Sojourner asked, even though he knew the answer.
"You bet the emerald I won't," Thunderhawk replied with a chuckle. Sojourner sighed and buried his face in his hands.
"I didn't think my father could be so creative," Knuckles said as he watched Locke pretend he was being kidnapped from the back of the car. He had seen the whole scenario earlier but he had recorded everything and was now watching the whole car trip again.
"I can't believe you recorded this," Julie-Su replied. Not that I should complain, this is funny.
"Why not?" Knuckles replied, his smile widening to a huge grin as he watched the royal guard pull over the car. "I figure none of my fathers have been out camping for who knows how long, if ever, and they don't strike me as being a solid family unit. How can I not record this? I think I'm beginning to see why my fathers enjoy this satellite system so much."
"You better hope they don't find out about this. They'll kill you."
"Nah. I'm willing to bet they have recordings of things I've done for them to laugh at."
"From what little I know of them, they probably do," Julie-Su said. She had fleeting moments of self consciousness when she learned about the Brotherhood's massive satellite system. While she was sure no one in the Brotherhood watched her like a hawk, the idea that the system allowed them see anything and everything made her feel a little uncomfortable.
"Well, I know dad watches mom. I bet he does watch her undress even though he insists he doesn't in his journal. He needs to remember to turn that thing off if he's going to ramble about things he doesn't want anyone to know."
"Don't you find that just a little disturbing?"
"I suppose it is, in a stalkerish kind of manner. Then again they were married. Besides, I'm willing to bet that everyone else probably peeks in on a female or two here or there."
"Knuckles!" Julie-Su cried indignantly. She couldn't believe how calmly he was talking about the whole thing.
"Think about it Julie-Su," Knuckles replied, turning to face her. "They're men. A bunch of old and lonely men at that and they have a surveillance system that allows them to see just about anything they want. I mean, why not, right?"
"I suppose that makes sense. They are men after all."
"Hey," Knuckles replied with a mock pout. "We're not all like that."
"You know I was only teasing you," Julie-Su replied, giving Knuckles a kiss on the cheek.
Knuckles smiled mischievously, grabbed Julie-Su around the waist and pulled her on to his lap. He kissed her fully on the lips, receiving just as hungry a kiss in return. Just as the kiss began to deepen the alarm systems sounded off.
"Man, talk about a mood breaker," Knuckles grumbled.
"What is that?" Julie-Su asked, covering her ears. She slid off of Knuckles' lap, allowing him to turn on the monitors to see what exactly set off the alarm system in the first place. The perimeter cameras came online a second later and Julie-Su felt the bile rise in her as she laid eyes on her half-sister, Lien-Da, who was wondering around the perimeter of Haven.
"What is she doing here?" Julie-Su growled, her hand already on her gun.
"Easy Julie-Su," Knuckles said soothingly. He knew there was no love lost between the two women and while he was inclined to allow the two of them to duke it out, he figured a more tactful approach would make for a better start. "No doubt she's sniffing around for information. I'll go deal with her."
"I'll go with you."
"No, stay here," Knuckles replied and almost regretted his words when Julie-Su favored him with a dirty look. He quickly shifted tactics in hopes of keeping her from blowing her top. "Look, I'm hoping against hope to do things diplomatically here. If I screw up, you can take over. However she wouldn't expect you to be here so you can catch her off guard if need be. Just let me try a more subtle approach first. It's what my father would want me to do."
Knuckles' words had the desired effect and Julie-Su mellowed out. She was still upset but she couldn't deny that Knuckles' father and grandfather would want Knuckles to try a nonviolent approach first.
"All right," she conceded. "Give it a shot, for all the good it'll do you. If she tries anything, she gets a bullet in the head."
"Fair enough."
Lien-Da sighed in irritation. She always hated this time of the year. The whole thing wouldn't be a big deal if Dimitri didn't insist upon receiving presents. Add to the fact that he acted liked a neglected six-year old when he didn't get what he wanted, Lien-Da had her hands full. She had been hunting for something, anything, to give him this past week but turned up empty handed everywhere.
In desperation she began looking around the Forbidden Zone. She didn't like being in such close proximity to where the Guardians lived but she needed something for her grandfather. She was willing to pick a fight with the Brotherhood if it meant getting her hands on something that would spare her from having to listen to her grandfather whine for months on end.
"What are you doing here?" asked a male voice.
Lien-Da sighed again. She knew it was bound to happen. What she didn't expect was to run into the current guardian, Knuckles. She straightened her top before turning around to face the younger echidna.
"I was just looking for something," Lien-Da replied honestly. Knuckles merely raised an eyebrow in response. No other Legionnaires save for her were present and it made Knuckles uncomfortable. He kept his senses alert, expecting an attack at any second but nothing happened and so he decided to press the issue.
"And what, pray tell, are you looking for?" Knuckles asked, knowing he wouldn't get a straight answer from her.
"Just something for Grandfather Dimitri," Lien-Da replied nonchalantly.
Knuckles sighed. "Let me guess, the entrance to the Brotherhood's secret lair?"
"No. We already know that."
Knuckles sputtered for a second. They knew and didn't attack? Something wasn't right with that picture. He almost asked why but his common sense kicked in and shut him up.
Better to play it cool. Maybe I can find some way to get her to leave.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude but you are trespassing and since I'm in a really good mood today, I'll give you a chance to leave on your own. I don't want to have to rough you up."
"That could be enticing," Lien-Da replied coyly. Even though Knuckles had a girlfriend, Lien-Da knew he tended to be shy around females, especially ones who came on strongly. A few well played moves and she could put the little upstart in his place.
"Not if you get beaten to a pulp in the process," Knuckles growled. He hated it when Lien-Da played games. With any other woman it might have made him nervous but his dislike for Lien-Da kept him from falling prey to her whims.
"Look, I'm not in the mood for games," Knuckles said flatly. "Just tell me what you're up to so I can tell you that it isn't going to happen and we can both go our separate ways."
"I told you already," Lien-Da said, beginning to get a little irritated with the boy, "I'm looking for something for my grandfather. If I wasn't so desperate I wouldn't be anywhere near here."
"And what exactly are you looking for?" Knuckles asked again. He hoped he didn't have to repeat himself a third time.
"If I knew I wouldn't out and about looking now would I?" Lien-Da snapped.
"Hey, don't get feisty with me," Knuckles replied. "You're the one who's wandering around where she's not wanted."
"You're the one harassing me," Lien-Da growled. She had a hand on her whip, ready to fight the second the Guardian made his move.
Knuckles sighed again. He was hoping to avoid a fight. In fact, he didn't even want to come out and confront Lien-Da to begin with but he knew he had to handle intruders. Even so, he was missing out on time with Julie-Su and he wanted to watch his fathers make fools of themselves. He wanted so badly to return to Haven that he decided to push common sense to wayside this one time.
"Look," Knuckles began, holding his hands out in a pacifying gesture. Lien-Da relaxed but remained on guard. "I have other things I'd much rather be doing right now. Just tell me what it is you need and depending on what it is I might just help you. Then we can both go back to things we'd rather be doing."
Lien-Da cocked an eyebrow. She wasn't expecting that from the Guardian but she didn't completely trust him either. However, she did want to find something for Dimitri and at this point was desperate enough to give Knuckles a chance if it meant she could put an end to her search. It was better than nothing and if he did help it would spare her having to deal with a sulky Dimitri.
"All right Knuckles, I'll tell you what's going on."
Spectre shivered a little as he continued to wash his robes in the cool lake water. The water was a little cooler than he would have liked but he was willing to endure it if he could get his robes cleaned. Of all the damn bushes Sojourner had to run off in to.
Sojourner complained that his rear end and legs was itching horribly as they settled around the lake, much to everyone's consternation. Everyone must have yelled at him to shut up at least once and Athair offered Sojourner some itching cream in desperation. Sojourner still complained despite having slathered the entire contents upon the lower half of his body. No one understood why Sojourner was having such an issue.
Thunderhawk finally yelled at him to shut up and mentioned that his legs itched horribly as well but he wasn't complaining. It was Thunderhawk's comment that his legs itched as well that finally triggered Locke's memory. He remembered why the bush sent up red flags in his mind. Sojourner and Thunderhawk had walked through poison ivy.
Thunderhawk blew the proverbial gasket while Sojourner freaked out. Then the lavender male brought up the fact that Spectre had followed him into the bushes and he wasn't itching. Athair brought up the obvious fact that Spectre wore long robes and the clothes protected his skin. Still, the news that he trekked through poison ivy alarmed Spectre and to avoid having to suffer along with his two sons he quickly took off his robes and dashed into the lake in hopes of cleaning them.
"This is your fault Locke!" Sojourner screamed for the fiftieth time as he scratched his legs furiously.
"How many times do I have to tell you that this isn't my fault!" Locke roared. He could understand Sojourner blaming his misfortune on him, that was something his grandfather was good at, but this was getting to be too much.
"Really now Sojourner," Sabre said as calmly as possible. The usually tolerant echidna was beginning to lose his patience. "How many times does Locke have to tell you that he didn't recognize those bushes himself? He didn't force you to run into them. You brought this on yourself."
"I still say he planned it. Anything to get me back for breaking the cappuccino maker." Sojourner's arms and hands were weary from the constant scratching and he began looking for something else to relieve the pain.
"Would you just shut up!" Thunderhawk bellowed. He was doing his best to keep from scratching his legs and his arms were flailing everywhere in an attempt to keep his hands off them. "You should have known what you were walking in to!"
"I didn't have time to look," Sojourner insisted as he began rubbing his butt against a tree.
Thunderhawk, Sabre, and Locke watched in bewilderment as Sojourner continued to assault his ass with tree bark. Athair, who was thoroughly amused by the whole scenario, took off the rattles he wore around his neck and shook them in rhythm to Sojourner's movements. The three males turned their attention from Sojourner to Athair, who paid no heed to the annoyed looks on their faces. Sojourner snarled at Athair's light hearted attitude towards his situation and made a move to strangle his grandson. The itch demanded greater attention though and Sojourner returned to rubbing himself against the tree.
Meanwhile Spectre had finished washing his robes. He was so busy working on getting any traces of poison ivy off his clothes that he was completely ignorant of current events. It wasn't until he after he got out of the lake, dried himself and his robe off with chaos power, and dressed that he took notice of the situation. Sojourner was rubbing his rear end against a tree with Athair shaking his rattles in rhythm while the other three stood around looking less than thrilled. All those years cooped up in Haven must have damaged their brain cells.
"Sojourner," Spectre said as he approached the group. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"What does it look like?" Sojourner snapped. He glared hatefully at his grandfather as he continued rubbing in futile efforts for relief.
"It looks like an insane dance number," Spectre replied. "I don't foresee this one going very far unless you intend to have people rub against one another."
Sojourner growled. He did not need Spectre making fun of him. "I have poison ivy all over my butt and legs," he said in frustration. "It itches like hell and I can't make it stop."
"You do know that itching it only makes it worse," Spectre replied.
"I don't care, I just want relief!" Sojourner screamed. "Have you no sympathy?"
"For getting yourself into this situation, no," Spectre said. "For the poor tree being violated in your desperation, yes. Now get your ass off that tree."
Sojourner continued glaring at his grandfather, silently cursing him for forcing him to come along on this hellish trip. Before he knew what happened Spectre closed the distance between them and seized Sojourner by the back of his head. It wasn't until then that he remembered that Spectre could easily read his feelings, if not his mind, in his perturbed state.
"Now listen to me," Spectre hissed, tightening his grip on the spines on his grandson's head. "You should have recognized those bushes. However you didn't and now you have to suffer for it. That's life, deal with it. Now stop whining and act your age and get away from that tree." With that he shoved Sojourner forward, causing the younger male to stumble a little before getting his bearings. He understood that poison ivy wasn't a wonderful thing to have on one's skin, especially on the rump but he'd be damned if he was going to put up with Sojourner's childish behavior for a minute longer.
Sojourner cast a hurt look back at his grandfather, trying to think of a retort. After a few seconds Sojourner decided that it wouldn't be in his best interests to continue this fight. He turned tail and walked down to the lake. He wandered a short distance in to the water in hopes that it might help relieve the pain. Athair, who replaced his rattles sometime during the exchange, watched Sojourner with a heavy heart. He moved to go to his grandfather and give him some comfort but Spectre's voice stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Leave him alone."
Athair turned back to face Spectre. "Don't you think that was a tad unnecessary?"
"Not in the least," came Spectre's cold reply. "If he insists upon behaving like a child, than he shall be treated as one."
"But he has every right to be upset," Athair insisted. The trip, which was supposed to be about bringing the Brotherhood closer together, was failing miserably.
"I understand that Athair but I'll not tolerate such an attitude. Did you not catch his thoughts? With his fury, they were rather easy to pick up on."
Athair lowered his head. Sojourner's enraged mind radiated its displeasure. A quick glance at the other three men indicated that they caught it as well. "Still," Athair continued, "I really think you were much too hard on him and-"
Spectre raised his hand and shook his head. He was in no mood to hear any more. "I don't care Athair. Let him sulk."
Athair sighed sadly before floating up to one of the trees. It was useless to argue, much less reason, with Spectre when he was in a bad mood. He found a sturdy branch high up and sat down, lost in his thoughts. Spectre never thought he'd see the day when he could depress Athair but there was a first time for everything. He cast a glance at his other sons, all of whom were silent. Thunderhawk felt Sojourner needed to be put in his place but felt that it was his duty as Sojourner's father to do it. Locke was furious at Sojourner for giving him grief earlier but he wasn't so angry that he wanted to see his grandfather treated like this. Sabre wasn't sure what to think. Spectre sighed, feeling some of his anger melting away. Maybe he had been too hard on Sojourner even though he was acting like a spoiled brat. He could make up to his grandson later, after everyone's emotions cooled down.
"Son, come eat some dinner," Thunderhawk said, trying to keep his voice calm. Sojourner hadn't budged from the lake and he was sure to catch his death of cold if he didn't get out of the water soon. Thunderhawk took a deep breath and tried again. "Son, please, at least get out of the water. You'll make yourself sick."
"Who cares," Sojourner replied, still pouting.
Thunderhawk sighed for what seemed like the millionth time. Athair's attempts to reason with Sojourner failed and the echidna had employed several humorous schemes in an attempt to get his grandfather to cooperate. He figured that if he couldn't get his grandfather to come out of the water, he could at least get him to laugh. Nothing. Sojourner didn't respond at all save for an angry glance now and then. Athair knew better though. He could see more hurt than anger in those blue eyes.
Thunderhawk decided to give it a try when Athair's attempts failed. His wasn't doing any better and everyone expected him to lose his temper the way he usually did when things didn't go his way. But Thunderhawk knew his child and the term like father, like son applied very well to them. Sojourner could be stubborn and like Thunderhawk was very proud. He knew his son was suffering more from a bruised ego more than anything else. He kept his tone of voice gentle as he tried to reason with Sojourner but the younger male did not respond.
Spectre sat silently, picking at his trout. He had been watching Athair's and Thunderhawk's futile efforts and he was disheartened to see that they couldn't get a response from Sojourner. He looked at his other two grandsons who were sitting with him. Locke never held his gaze and constantly averted his eyes. Spectre knew Locke was uncomfortable and didn't doubt that it was fear of incurring his wrath that kept the young one from voicing his opinion. Sabre said nothing either but Spectre could see his thoughts in his eyes. This is your fault.
Spectre averted his gaze and stood up. While nothing excused Sojourner's immature behavior, Spectre knew he had been out of line. He could have handled the situation a lot better than he did. Seeing Thunderhawk's latest plea fail, he decided it was time for him to handle the situation. The rest of this trip would be absolutely unbearable if this wasn't smoothed over.
He walked to the edge of the water, standing a short distance from Thunderhawk. His son looked at him and scowled slightly. He wanted to give his father a piece of his mind but something inside him said patience would be his ally for now. Thunderhawk said nothing and waited to see how his father planned to handle this and was fully prepared to turn on the older male if he got out of line. Athair watched silently from above. Spectre was unpredictable sometimes and even he wasn't sure what to expect from his grandfather.
"Sojourner," Spectre said softly and the younger man stiffened at the sound of his voice. "You're not doing yourself any favors by staying in the lake. Come out, warm up by the fire, and have some dinner."
"Is that an order, sir?" Sojourner replied not bothering to turn around.
"More of a request child," Spectre replied.
"Ah, I'm still a child."
"You are my grandchild," Spectre pointed out, keeping his voice pleasant. Sojourner said nothing in response and Spectre continued on. "I know you're upset with me. I admit that I over-reacted and I'm sorry."
Sojourner relaxed slightly. He never thought he'd hear those two words from his grandfather's mouth. Neither did anyone else. Everyone else stared at Spectre in shock but the older male made no notice of them. His attention was on Sojourner.
"Is the poison ivy still bothering you?" Spectre asked, hoping a change in conversation would help matters.
"Why do you care?" Sojourner spat.
Spectre closed his eyes before speaking again. Sojourner wasn't making this easy. "Because I'm curious. Does it still bother you?"
"Yes," Sojourner replied, some of the edge in his voice gone.
"We'll see if we can't take care of it when we get back to camp. Until then you'll just have to do your best to ignore the itch. I know it isn't easy but you will only make things worse and you'll create wounds in your skin if you keep scratching." Spectre smiled as Sojourner turned to look at him, his face emotionless. "Come on Sojourner. I don't think Locke can finish off the rest of the trout," Spectre said, hoping foolishly his lame attempt at humor would help.
"All right," Sojourner said. "But only because I'm hungry."
Shock was the only way to describe Spectre's reaction. He honestly didn't expect Sojourner to respond to him at all. He said nothing as Sojourner got out of the water. The two men exchanged glances before Thunderhawk, who wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders, lead Sojourner to the fire where Sabre whipped up a quick plate with some food. Athair floated down to Spectre and gave the black furred echidna a warm smile.
"Well done grandfather."
"Excuse me?" Spectre asked, completely confused.
"Not only did you apologize but you got Sojourner out of the water. I'm quite proud of you."
Now Spectre was the one who felt like a child. He cast his eyes downward, not really wishing to look at Athair, much less engage in conversation. "Everything will work out," Athair said kindly. "After all, despite all the fighting that goes on, the Brotherhood is still together and functioning, so something must be right."
Spectre said nothing as Athair went to join the rest of the family by the fire. Spectre moved to follow but decided to stay back and allow them peace. His mind was reeling from so many thoughts that had taken over his mind, especially after Athair's last words. Fights amongst members of the Brotherhood weren't uncommon and some were downright vicious. Yet despite that every single one of them continued to work with one another, cooperate with each other. Spectre very rarely heard apologies exchanged, either because they were all too proud to voice them or because they weren't expected, and yet they continued to function.
Surely we can't be burying all of those negative emotions, not for all those years. One of us would have turned homicidal by now if that were the case. Spectre leaned against a nearby tree, still lost in his thoughts. I've seen so many angry words exchanged over the years and yet there doesn't appear to be any hateful feelings amongst us. Well, maybe not openly expressed. And yet, we manage. We endure and continue on. With our personalities it shouldn't be possible. If anything we should have torn each other apart by now. What is so right that we endure the way that we are?
Spectre turned his gaze upwards into the starry sky. He lost all track of time and reality as well for Thunderhawk approached him at some point during his meditation and was waiting patiently for his father to acknowledge him. Feelings of being watched finally nagged at Spectre and he was brought back to reality with a start when he realized his son was standing next to him.
"Thunderhawk," Spectre stammered. "I'm-I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."
"I could tell," Thunderhawk replied. "Why don't you come join us by the fire? I think we still have some berries left."
Spectre smiled and nodded. A rustling in the bushes caught his attention as he made his way back to the fire with his son. Thunderhawk caught it too as did the rest of the group.
The rustling continued, getting louder with every passing second. By now everyone was on the defensive. A few seconds later, wolbears came out of the bushes, snarling.
"Are those what I think they are?" Locke asked.
"Yes Locke," Spectre replied. "Be careful everyone, wolbears are extremely feral."
"But what are they doing here? We can't possibly look like a meal to them," Sojourner said. By now the Brotherhood was together in a circle, facing the wild animals. Wolbears weren't large animals and they were considered more of a nuisance than anything but their tenacious nature made them difficult to deal with.
"We very well could be," Sabre said. "That and I believe the scent of attracted their attention."
"Do what you can to scare them away," Spectre commanded.
"They just need a friend," Athair cooed as he picked up a stick.
"No, they want dinner," Locke said.
"They're going to have a fight on their paws if that's what they want," Thunderhawk growled.
A couple wolbears attacked and Thunderhawk was able to knock them back with a chaos blast. Several more jumped in and the Brotherhood used chaos energy to keep them back. All save for Athair, who wanted to play a game instead.
"Fetch the stick! Get the stick!" Athair cried as he threw a large stick into the trees. The two wolbears looked behind them, confused, before turning snarling faces upon Athair.
"No you silly critters, you're supposed to chase the stick. Here, let me show you how it's done." Athair flew off into the trees, several wolbears behind him.
"Someone needs to help Athair!" Locke shouted.
"Forget him, he can take care of himself," Sabre replied. "Besides, maybe a few wolbear bites will knock some sense into him."
"Now isn't the time for jokes sons," Spectre insisted, trying to keep the wolbears from getting too close to him. He really didn't want to find out how big a bite they could take with their teeth.
"Father, help me!" Sojourner cried out. His body still itched and it proved too great a distraction for the echidna to focus on fighting. He ran wildly through the trees, screaming for help, a hand reaching down to scratch himself every couple seconds.
"Oh for crying out loud," Thunderhawk mumbled. He kicked off a wolbear that had latched on to his foot before running off after his son with several wolbears behind him.
"There goes two of our number," Locke said as he fought a couple more wolbears. One jumped on top of his head and jumped in place a couple times before Locke grabbed the annoying creature and tossed it to the side. He growled in frustration; the wolbear's claws managed to scratch him a little. Another one bit into his boot and refused to let go. Locke shook his leg in an effort to get it off but the animal refused to budge. Locke did his best to keep more away from him as he danced around, shaking his left leg to get rid of the demon attached to it.
"I'll get him Locke," Sabre said, hitting the wolbear with a small chaos blast. The creature refused to budge and Sabre hit it again, harder. Still, nothing.
"Just kill it," Locke demanded, shaking his leg with more fury.
"Now, Locke, you know better than that," Sabre replied. He cast a quick glance for more wolbears but the remaining ones decided to focus their attention on Spectre. Sabre ran to his son and knelt down to grab the wolbear, which maintained its death grip on Locke's boot. A quick hit to the head forced the wolbear to release its grip and then Sabre drop kicked the animal into the woods.
"Thank you father," Locke said.
Sojourner's screams caught his attention and Locke watched as Sojourner ran past with several wolbears on his tail, followed by an angry Thunderhawk, who was followed by more wolbears. Sabre shook his head before turning his attention to Spectre who was having his own troubles. Several wolbears had latched on to Spectre's robes and he was running around, cloth gathered in his hands, shaking his robes all over the place trying to get the wolbears to release their grip.
Eventually his robes ripped, sending some wolbears flying into the trees from the way Spectre was flailing around. They all came back and latched on to another part of his robe and Spectre was screaming now in frustration. Locke was about to comment on how amusing he thought the site of a panicked Spectre was when Sojourner went running by again still screaming and scratching, the wolbears right behind him.
"Quit running around and fight like a man!" Thunderhawk shouted as he chased after his son. 'And quit scratching yourself!" Several more wolbears followed.
"Some warriors we are," Locke said. A hand shot to the top of his head and pushed him down to the ground before Locke could register what happened.
Several wolbears flew over his head a second later, having been flung away by Spectre. To Locke the scene looked like a giant raven flapping his wings wildly, the flying wolbears like feathers being molted in panic. He and Sabre were so immersed in the spectacle before them that neither one noticed the return of the wolbear Sabre punted into the woods minutes earlier. Still furious, it ran forward, teeth bared and sunk its teeth into Sabre's rear end. Sabre screamed in pain and pounded his fists on the ground.
"Get it off! Get it off!" Sabre cried, as he continued to pounding.
Locke jumped up and grabbed the wolbear and pulled, enticing more screams from Sabre. The critter refused to release his hold and Locke was afraid to pull harder lest he take off a chunk of his father's rump with. Locke tried hitting the animal on the head but still it wouldn't release its grip. Sabre continued to cry in pain, still bent over on the ground, begging for relief from his torment in incoherent sentences.
Locke finally decided he'd try to kick the monster off his father. He backed up and readied his foot but somehow the wolbear figured out what he was planning to do and released its grip as Locke kicked forward. The wolbear ducked out the way, allowing Sabre to catch the full force of Locke's kick.
"Locke!" Sabre screamed. He wasn't going to be able to sit for a month.
Locke about had a fit and issued no end of apologies to his father, who was still on the ground lamenting his predicament. The wolbear, pleased with it's revenge, lunged for Locke but the echidna, wanting to avenge his father, picked up a large branch and begin swinging at the wolbear. The wolbear turned and ran into the trees with Locke close behind, screaming obscenities at it, trying desperately to hit it with the branch. Sojourner ran past Sabre again and Thunderhawk finally had to come to a stop to catch his breath. He took a look at the ground and saw a very unhappy Sabre.
"What happened to you?" Thunderhawk asked as he scratched his legs. Sabre merely looked at him, tears still in his eyes. Thunderhawk wasn't sure what happened until he noticed Sabre was lying on the ground with his butt in the air and then he noticed the bite marks. "That must have been fun." Sabre responded with a dirty look.
Before Thunderhawk could say anything else, Sojourner had collided with him, sending both men to the ground. "Watch where you're going," Thunderhawk scolded. Two seconds later the wolbears were on top of them and both men screamed and flailed in an effort to keep the animals off of them. Sabre scooted back as far as he could to keep from being dragged into the fight.
"I swear, this is a plot by the Dark Legion itself!" Spectre screamed. He released a large chaos energy blast, knocking every wolbear off of him into the lake. Locke ran past, still chasing the wolbear that attacked Sabre and Spectre threw that one into the lake as well.
"Oh, thanks," Locke replied, wondering why he didn't think of that himself.
Spectre then turned on the ones attacking Sojourner and Thunderhawk and used his power to toss all of those wolbears into the woods. Sojourner and Thunderhawk, who failed to notice their assailants were gone, kept fighting and throwing punches, screaming insults and threats at enemies that were no longer present. After a couple more seconds they both realized that the wolbears were gone and they were being stared at. They separated quickly and were on their feet in an instant, both looking embarrassed.
Meanwhile Locke had run back to Sabre and was doing his best to console his father.
Spectre panted, trying to understand what just happened that they failed to handle a situation quickly and efficiently. He was about to speak when growls were heard. The Brotherhood looked around and more wolbears appeared. Spectre immediately put up a force field around himself and his sons to keep them away but he wasn't sure how long he could maintain it.
"What now?" Sojourner asked.
Spectre racked his brain and finally came to one solution. He removed the force field, releasing the energy outward, knocking the wolbears back several feet. The blast also managed to stun many of them senseless. He knew that wouldn't last long though.
"Well?" Thunderhawk asked, watching the wolbears apprehensively.
"Run away!" Spectre screeched. He tore off into the woods.
Thunderhawk and Sojourner exchanged glances before running into the woods. Locke began to run after them but was stopped by his father's cry for help. Sabre was barely able to walk. Locke ran back to his father, allowed the older male to climb onto his back and then carried Sabre piggyback style into the woods.
They ran for what seemed like hours, the wolbears hot on their heels until Spectre spotted a large, very tall tree. He knew wolbears didn't like climbing to extreme heights. He leapt onto the tree and began climbing, followed quickly by his sons. They climbed as quickly as they could with Thunderhawk and Locke helping Sabre up into the tree. Several wolbears started up after them but after a certain height they gave up and returned to the ground. Finally they reached the top and each male settled into a branch to catch his breath. The wolbears sat at the base of the tree and howled.
They remained in the tree, afraid to climb down with the wolbears still gathered at the base. Eventually the wolbears would settle down and someone would try to climb down, only to get the wolbears to act up again. They were stuck. The minutes passed into hours as the Brotherhood remained in the tree, silhouetted against the full moon as the wolbears howled beneath them. Eventually, Sojourner began rubbing his butt on his branch.
"Quit that," Thunderhawk grumbled, scratching his leg.
"I can't help it," Sojourner whined. Sabre said nothing. He continued to lie on his stomach, trying his best to ignore the pain.
"Nice view from up here," Locke commented.
"Oh, shut up," Spectre grumbled.
