Disclaimer : The Brotherhood belongs to Archie… means there aren't mine ! I do own Grill the Toaster though ! You'll understand if you read the story !!!

Chapter 3 : Drinks affect your sanity

When Locke got into the kitchen, he was met by a usual sight. Well, usual if you're an Guardian echidna living in a complex underground with your ancestors.

Sabre was sitting on a chair, looking blankly at his empty glass. Sitting cross legged on the table, Athair was munching cheerfully on a piece of toast. In an arm, he was hugging the toaster.

But two persons were missing : Thunderhawk and Spectre. Where were they ?

Shrugging, Locke got to his father's side.

"Hello, Father" he greeted.

Sabre stayed silent, which got Sojourner to frown.

"Something's wrong ?". When he put his hand on the leader's shoulder, Sabre fell forward and whacked his forehead on the edge of the table before falling down on the ground. "What the…"

"Father !" Locke nearly screamed.

Athair stopped munching, and chuckled happily seeing Sabre has fallen off his chair. Locke, however, didn't find that funny.

"What did you do to him ?" he asked.

"Me ?" Athair said, pointing an innocent finger on his chest. "Nothing ! Sabre just got in the kitchen after I did, for I wanted to eat some toast before he devours them all. I didn't want him to scare Grill to death…" he rambled on while hugging his toaster lovingly. "Toasters do have a soul too, and Sabre just don't-"

"Get to the point already !" Sojourner snapped, his patience reaching its limits.

"Fine, Mister I'm-stressed-about-nothing !" Athair humped. "I was saying, after he got in, he gulped down a big glass of orange juice, like he always does. He has been silent since then."

"Orange juice…"

Locke grabbed the empty glass and brought it to his nose. He then thrust it away brutally, wincing at the smell. "Alcohol…And a strong one at that."

"Chaos… Hey, anyone wonder what's a drunk Sabre like ?" Sojourner joked.

"Come on, Sabre, stay upright !" Sojourner groaned for what seemed like the fiftieth time.

Locke and him were trying to drag Sabre back to his quarters. But Athair flying around them and Sabre tumbling every two seconds wasn't making it easier. Not the least…

"Man… hic, where are we, hic, going Lucky ?" Sabre hiccupped.

"To your room, Father, and my name is Locke."

"That's, hic, right Lobster."

"Who would have thought your son would be an alcoholic, eh, Athair ?" Sojourner said.

Athair said nothing, but cast a deadly glare in Sojourner's direction. He was about to open his mouth, but a horrified scream rang through the air. Locke and Sojourner stood upright, and Sabre fell to the floor with a soft thud.

Then they saw it. A purple thing walking toward them. After a while, they realised it was Thunderhawk. And he was not looking happy…

"Father ! I thought we had lost you and-"

Sojourner stopped in mid-sentence, and wrinkled his nose. What was that smell ? A subtle mix of rotten eggs, spoilt cheese and old fish… that seemed to come from Thunderhawk !

"Father… could you step back, please ?"

"Phew, what's that ?!" Athair winced before putting his hands on his nose. "Oxygen ! I need oxygen !"

Thunderhawk growled, shoulders stooped. He crossed his arms on his chest and cast a dark glare at them.

"All right, who put that bucket above the door ?" he asked, low and threatening.

Locke, Sojourner and Athair looked at each other, and shook their heads. Just then, Sabre somehow regained enough strength to get up, and hugged Thunderhawk tightly.

"Thundy, hic, my man ! But… Phew, you smell !" he said, waving helplessly.

"Let me guess : it wasn't water that was in the bucket ?" Sojourner asked.

"How did you find out ?" the lavender echidna growled, pushing Sabre away. "What happened to him ?"

Locke rolled his eyes, as if to say "Isn't it obvious ?"

"He got – involuntary – drunk, that's it."

"Drunk ?" the leader hiccupped. "How can I be, hic, drunk, Locust ? I'm not, hic, liquid so no one can, hic, drink me ! Ah ha, drink Sabre !"

Athair burst out laughing, while Thunderhawk raised both eyebrows with surprise. Locke and Sojourner looked sadly at each other. Fortunately Spectre isn't here…

After arguing for a bit, they agreed that they would first lock Sabre in his room, then try and get Thunderhawk rid of the horrid scent that clung to him. Till then, he was walking ahead. Very far ahead…

"I hope you don't mind, Thunderhawk, but the smell is very inappropriate." Locke said while dragging his father.

"He means you stink !" Athair cheerfully added.

"Second-father ! I didn't mean to sound that harsh…"

They finally reached Sabre's room, and they dropped the red echidna on his bed. He bounced once, then resumed sleeping.

"Phew." Locke sighed. "Now, to the lab."

Nodding, the others three followed him silently. Half-way to the lab, Locke stopped suddenly. He held out a hand, like he was listening to something.

"Wait… No buzzing sounds… No constants beeping sounds that annoy Spectre to no end… What happened to the computers ?!"

Gasping in horror, Locke took off running toward the surveillance room. Soon, the others ran after him. They saw him duck in the room. And they heard his huge horrified scream.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!"

When they got into the room, they were surprised to see him kneeling beside a computer screen. The entire place was a total mess : computers pieces laid everywhere, as well as tools. Locke was holding the screen close to his chest now.

"Who in the world could have done that ?" the mechanic whimpered. "Who could have been cruel enough to-"

"Locke ? These are only computers…" Sojourner said.

"I put my sweat and blood to make them work, Fourth-father ! I have the right to be sad ! They're all dead !" Locke cried.

Thunderhawk rolled his eyes, while Sojourner sighed, irritated. Athair, totally clueless, caught something outside from the corner of his eye.

"Hey, Sabre's running in the corridor."

"Say what ?!" they exclaimed.

All of them except Locke ran outside. The red scientist sadly lowered his head.

"Great. Sabre's drunk and running wild. Thunderhawk smells of rotten eggs, and Sojourner has his shoes glued to his feet. To top it off, my computers were all killed. How could it be worse ?"