Disclaimer : The Brotherhood isn't mine… not yet ! Archie, you better hand them over to me, or else…

Spectre's Revenge

A week. It has been a week since the 'Spectre accident'.

During that week, Locke has waited, both curious and frightened. Spectre was NOT going to let them get away with this. Destroying his TV… The scientist shuddered at the thought. But then again, an entire week without even a sign…

The elder echidna was known to be patient ; he was plotting for a way to get them back. The only question was : when ? and how ? That was the last thing Locke wanted to find out !

Humming happily to himself like he always does, Athair floated down the corridors. Eyes closed, he was smiling joyously as he flew past a very disturbed Sojourner, who shot him an exasperated glare, letting go an annoyed sigh. Not offended in the slightest, the brown echidna carried on his flying.

Sojourner shook his head, irritated. Some second-son I have…

The red echidna then walked away, and opened a door. It was his room, as bare as a bone. No pictures on the walls, no paper filled desk. Just a bed, a nightstand and a closet. Sojourner wasn't a material man.

Yawning, he stretched out and removed his vest. Red fur brushed against green cloth, and he threw it on the foot of the bed. He then sat on the mattress, and tried to take off his shoes.

But something was wrong. Normally, he would be able to slip them off without using his hands, but that wasn't the case. Frowning, he bent down and grabbed a boot. It wouldn't budge ! No matter how hard he tried, the shoe was looking like it was glued to his foot !

"Chaos…" he groaned between gritted teeth. "What's wrong ?!"

After a few minutes of useless pulling, he stopped and wiped sweat off his forehead using his arm. The blasted thing wouldn't come off ! He let out a low growl ; he was going to need help…

Sighing, he got up and walked toward the door. Inwardly, he was making up excuses, but couldn't find one good enough… He settled for telling the truth. Hello, Locke, I'm waking you up in the middle of the night because my shoe is stuck, his mind told him, sarcastic. Yeah, sure…

Swearing under his breath all the way, he made it to Locke's room. By now, the younger should be asleep… It was past midnight. Repressing another groan, Sojourner opened the door of the dark room.

Wasting no time, he went to the bed and took a hold of Locke's shoulder.

"Locke ?" he called. "Come on, wake up, Locke !"

"No… It wasn't me, Grandfather" the other mumbled in his sleep. "I didn't even get a step out of Haven…"

"For Edmund's sake, Locke, wake up !" Sojourner cried, now desperate.

"Uh, what ?" the younger one said, awaking. "Fourth-father ? What are you doing here ?"

"I…" Sojourner began, before letting out another big sigh. He really hated having to do that, but there was no other option. "I need your help."

"Do you really ? That would be a first…"

Sojourner rolled his eyes while gritting his teeth once again. He had no time to waste with smart remarks and sarcasm.

"I have no time for this" he snapped. "Will you help me, or not ?"

"Depends" Locke said, sitting up. "What's your problem ?" Although I know you haven't got only one…

Suddenly, Sojourner realised the full absurdity of his presence here. A shoe stuck, and after ? If anything, Locke would burst out laughing, and send him back to his room. Or the scientist would frown and give advice on how he should stay away from Athair for a while. Either way, he would not get any help, and he'd end up ridiculous…

"So ?"

Locke's voice brought him back on Earth, and he lowered his head, mumbling :

"Mbrlrllmprbl"

"Sorry, what was that ?" the other asked.

The elder echidna took in a big breath; Locke wasn't making it easy…

"My foot got stuck in my boot" he said clearly.

A big silence followed. Locke blinked once. Twice. He was staring dumbfounded at his ancestor, like he has just seen Sabre walk by in a dress.

Then he simply said :

"You're joking ?"

"What ?"

A smile tugged at Locke's lips, and he chuckled a bit. One last look at Sojourner's incredulous face, and he laughed out loud. Wiping a tear from his eye, he turned once again to face his fourth-father.

"Great one, Fourth-father. I didn't believe you knew how to play a joke…"

"A joke ?! You think I would spit on my pride and sacrifice my self-esteem I worked hard to gain through all those years, just for a stupid joke ?!" Sojourner nearly shouted.

Impressed, Locke shut his mouth. He wasn't laughing anymore ; anyone who would have taken a look at the elder's face would have known it wasn't the time to mess with him. Red with anger, his teeth were bared in fury. But he soon calmed down ; Locke had nothing to do with his problem, after all.

"So…" he risked. "You're not joking ?"

"No, I'm not. Now, will you help me or not ?"

"Can't you do it yourself ?" he wondered.

"I've tried ! But nothing works ! It's like it's glued to my foot or something ! Surely, you know how to get rid of that !"

"Yes, I think… But I'm afraid I won't be able to do what's in order to 'save' you alone. Could you go and get someone, please ?"

"Allright." Sojourner agreed.

"Good. Meet me in the lab when you've found someone" the scientist said while getting up and slipping on his coat.

"See you there, then"

Sojourner turned to leave, but before he could reach the door, Locke spoke again.

"Oh, and Fourth-father ?"

"Yes ?"

"Go put a shirt on, you're going to scare someone…"

Here's the first chapter ! I was afraid that writing the entire story would take too much time, so I decided to post small chapters. In case I wouldn't be able to continue quickly, but I blame it on the teachers ! I'll try and post the next one soon, though !