Meanwhile, in a deep part of the thieves lair, Blaytz had led Lance away from the celebrating group. Pidge, Blue, and Sendak had come along with. The group was walking through a cave with a shallow stream of water flowing through. Blaytz held a torch in his hand as he led the group through the cave.
"I find my son, and lose my enemy. You did your old man proud, Lance," Blaytz said glancing back towards Lance.
"I was just trying to stay alive," Lance snapped back with a glare.
"Ha! If you didn't fight, you would have been killed," Blaytz pointed out as Lance walked past him, Blue on his shoulder. "So says the code of the Forty Thieves."
Lance continued to walk forwards until the group reached a wall with strange markings on it.
"Does this code have any rules that don't end in death?" Sendak asked. Blaytz smiled as he walked past the bird on Pidge's shoulder.
"It's a strict code," Pidge and Sendak turned to one another before they shrugged their shoulders. "But there's one thing that I added. We never hurt the innocent," Blaytz said as he walked up to the wall with the strange markings.
"For future reference, I'm as innocent as the day I was hatched," Sendak said as he gave an "innocent" smile towards the man. Pidge rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Oh brother…" she muttered under her breath.
Blaytz then pulled a brooch off his cape, Lance caught sight of a design engraved onto it, but couldn't make out what it was as Blaytz placed it into a hole in the wall.
"My men don't even know about this place," Blaytz said as the wall slid to the side and opened to reveal a hidden room. Blaytz pulled back the brooch and clipped it back onto his cape, He then stepped into the room and using his torch, lit another torch in the room. "Listen boy, there is a treasure. The Ultimate Treasure," Blaytz said as the others began to walk into the room.
"Ultimate Treasure?" Lance asked in curiosity.
"Compared to this, a pharaoh's tomb is a pauper's grave," Blaytz said as he tossed his torch into a pot of water, the flame extinguishing. "A sultan's fortune nothing but... lunch money! And I am this close to it," Blaytz said as he made a motion with his fingers to show how close he was.
"That's tantalizingly close," Sendak said as he rubbed his wings together, Lance rolling his eyes and sighing.
"But it's on an island that is never in the same place twice," Blaytz said as he opened a closet and started to dig through. It wasn't long before he dug out a rug. "The Vanishing Isle."
"That... would be a problem indeed," Pidge said from beside Lance.
"What is this Ultimate Treasure?" Lance asked in annoyance.
"The big one, boy," Blaytz said as he unrolled the rug in his hands. The rug design was blue and had a turtle drawn on the middle, in the middle of the turtle was a golden hand drawn. "The Hand of Midas."
"It's just a myth!" Lance said with a rolled of his eyes. He had heard of it like everyone else, but like everyone else, he believed it to be a myth.
"It's not a myth, boy," Blaytz said as he grabbed a lit torch and pulled back a dark blue curtain to reveal stairs that led down to the sea. He then led the group down the stairs and towards the bottom. "It was once right here, look, there's your proof," Blaytz said as he angled the torch to the water to reveal a ship. "From stern to stem, every piece of rigging every peg and board, all of it! Solid gold!"
"Oooh," Blue said as she pounced off Lance's shoulder to look closer at the ship.
"Adopt me Daddy-o!" Sendak cried out as he flew off Pidge's shoulder and down beside Blue. Pidge rolled her eyes with a sigh.
"Remind me why we brought him with us?" Pidge quietly asked Lance.
"Touched by the Hand of Midas," Blaytz said as the group continued to stare at the ship.
"And sunk by it," Lance pointed out as he turned to head up the stairs.
"You don't understand. You don't know what it's like to have nothing. To stare up at the palace and know you deserve more," Blaytz said with a growl as he tossed the torch into the water. "To be called "street rat"."
"Yes, I do," Lance said quietly as he headed through the curtain.
"I knew exactly what I wanted for my family, the best," Blaytz said as he appeared through the curtain and placed an arm around Lance's shoulders. Lance gave a small smile. "I couldn't give up and go back empty-handed. But the weeks turned into months and the months turned into years," Blaytz trailed off as he stared at the wall.
"I came back to Altea one night, but I couldn't find my wife or my son. I thought my family was lost forever. At that moment, I would have traded anything to get your mother back," Lance's eyes widened when he heard his father say he returned. The group behind him also was surprised when Blaytz said that.
"We never wanted gold... we wanted you," Lance said with small tears in his eyes as his father turned and he slowly walked towards him. "I wanted a father, I still do. Come to my wedding," Blaytz eyes widened. "This time, you have an invitation," Lance said with a chuckle and a wink of his eye.
"Lance, I just don't know," Blaytz said as his eyes traveled to the ground. Lance placed a hand on his father's shoulder with a soft smile.
"Dad, I'm not going back to Altea until morning. At least think about it?" Blaytz sighed but nodded. Lance then headed back out of the room, Blue and Pidge following behind him.
"Lance may never understand, but it just wouldn't work. I don't belong in his world," Blaytz said as Sendak landed on his shoulder.
"The Oracle doesn't belong in his world either. It belongs in the hands of two enterprising treasure hunters, you and me."
"The Oracle... probably just another dead end," Blaytz said as he pushed Sendak off his shoulder and walked away.
"It works! That's how the kid found you, it knows everything!" Sendak said making the man stop in his tracks. He looked up the where Lance had headed out and a smile grew on his face.
"Everything?" Sendak nodded and landed on top of a book.
"And I know where they stashed it. Blaytz, we're talking about the wedding of your only son," Sendak said with a small smile. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
"How can I pass it up?"
Meanwhile, back in Altea, Kolivan had received a mysterious letter from someone asking to meet him. He walked the streets, sword in hand, always on alert.
"Captain, over here!" someone called out from the shadows. Kolivan turned and stomped over to the area where he heard the voice.
"Show yourself!" Kolivan called out. The mysterious figure stepped out of the shadows and it was revealed to be Zarkon, who leaned against a building.
"You're alone, good," Zarkon said with a smile on his face.
"So, you are the one with information about the Forty Thieves?" Kolivan asked with a glare towards the man, sword still in hand.
"What would you say if I handed you the King of Thieves?" Zarkon asked with a smirk.
"I'd say what's in it for you?" Kolivan asked as he put his sword away.
"I'll just sleep better knowing that he's off the streets... and on the executioner's block."
"Everyone knows that the King of Thieves cannot be caught," Kolivan pointed out with a roll of his eyes. "What miracle do you possess?"
"Two words that will make you Altea's greatest hero- Open Sesame."
The next morning, Blaytz, Blue, and Sendak were standing on a ledge outside of the lair. Lance flew up standing on top of Pidge in her carpet form.
"Hop on, Dad!" Lance called out to his father who watched with weary eyes.
"Oh no! It's a rug, you sweep dirt under it, you don't fly on it. At least, I don't," Blaytz said as Pidge spun around him in circles, Lance still standing on top of it.
"Don't be afraid, it's fun!" Lance teased with a smile.
"I am not afraid! Now, get off that thing before you break your neck!" Blaytz scolded as Blue and Sendak shared a look of amusement.
"I trust Pidge with my life!" Lance said as Pidge came to a stop and Lance jumped off. Pidge changed out of her carpet form and gave Blaytz a smile.
"Give 'em time, he'll come around," Pidge said to Lance who laughed. "You did."
"We'll take horses," Blaytz said as he led the group up some stairs and to where two horses were waiting. Blaytz and Lance climbed on top of the two horses, while Blue changed out of her lion form and climbed on top of Pidge with Sendak. "Horses were good enough for my father, and his father before him. And they were always good enough for me."
"He sounds like a father, alright," Lance whispered to the trio who nodded in agreement.
From below on the beachside trail, Kolivan and some of his guards rode up on horses. To the spot where Zarkon had told them the lair was located at.
"Whoa! This is the spot men," Kolivan said as he turned to glance behind him.
"But there is nothing here!" Ulaz pointed out as he glanced around.
"Now, but watch," Kolivan said as he held out an arm and closed his eyes. "Open Caraway!" Kolivan said, the guards watched in confusion as nothing was happening. Kolivan opened his eyes and let out a growl of anger.
"When I get a hold of that no good…" Kolivan started to go off in anger.
"But I thought you said it was Open Sesame?" Ulaz asked in confusion.
Suddenly the ground started to shake, the horses stepped back in fear. Kolivan looked up as the bridge to the lair appeared and the opening of the lair opening. A smile formed on his face and he led the men towards the opening.
The group had arrived back at the palace. They handed the horses over to the stable boys and walked up to the porch outside the palace.
"Looks like Hunk has everything ready," Lance said with a smile. The palace had finally been rebuilt and decorated better than before.
"Hunk?" Blaytz asked in confusion.
"He's a genie," Pidge stated from beside Lance.
"Genie? You have a Genie? Have you used all three wishes yet?" Lance nodded.
Hunk suddenly popped up beside Lance, startling the group.
"Oh, Lance! You're back! And you're front! You're both here!" Hunk said with a smile as he drew Lance, Pidge, and Blue into a hug.
"That's great Hunk-" before he could finish, Hunk place a finger of his mouth, silencing him.
"Security's tight. No big crowd, immediate family only," Hunk said as he stepped away and glanced around.
"Perfect, because this is my-"
"No lowlifes this time, other than the bird of course. Observe," Hunk said as he pulled out a grey remote and pushed a button. From a riding platform through the floor, a giant yellow robot that looked similar to Hunk appeared.
"You have violated the perimeter of the Lance and Keith wedding; prepare to be vaporized, thank you," the robot said as it suddenly shot a laser towards the group, who ducked just in time to miss it.
"Armed and dangerous. I'd like to see one of those Forty Thieves get within an inch of your wedding," Hunk said with a confident smile towards Lance.
"Allow me to introduce, "Sendak called out from Blaytz's shoulder.
"Haha, the King of Thieves," Blaytz said with a small smile.
"Ah! All units, we have a code red," Hunk called and suddenly the palace went into lockdown mode, and hundreds of SWAT Hunk's appeared and surrounded Blaytz. Guns locked towards the man, Lance being unable to move as he was being protected by the Hunk's. "Do not attempt to move, or we'll be shooting ourselves.
"Hunk!" Lance groaned as he tried to push through the crowd.
"Back off, Lance. This creep has a yellow sheet as long as my arm," Hunk said not taking his eyes off Blaytz.
"Hunk, meet my dad," Lance said with a smile. Hunk froze before he lowered his gun and turned to the others.
"Stand down boys, smoke 'em if you got 'em," Hunk said as the other Hunk's disappeared and Hunk returned back to normal. "If you're Lance's dad, and the King of Thieves, I just wanna know one thing, "Hunk said as he grabbed Blaytz cloak and pulled him close with a glare.
"Yeah?" Blaytz dared with a raised eyebrow.
"Will you be having the chicken or the sea bass?" Hunk asked as he turned into a waiter with a notepad in his hands.
"Come on, Dad. I can't wait for you to meet Keith and his parents," Lance said as he started to pull his father away. Lance, however, was stopped when Hunk popped in front of him and stopped him from entering the palace.
"Ahem, Lance? Don't you think we should lose the 'Altea's Most Wanted' look?" Hunk asked as he pulled down a poster that had Blaytz's face on it.
"What's wrong with the way I look?" Blaytz growled out as he threw the poster away.
"When you're here, you're not the King of Thieves," Lance said as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're my dad.
"I've had more practice being the King of Thieves," Blaytz said with a frown.
"Oh, Come on, enough of this dark past. Let's roll out something a little new," Hunk said as he popped up from Blaytz.
"It's a big, bright, beautiful future
Thank your lucky stars you're alive"
Blaytz suddenly found himself on a path of flying stars in space. He glanced around as he flew past Hunk as different constellations in the sky.
"You got someone special to talk to
A friend that you can trust for life"
Blaytz suddenly found himself off the stars with Hunk beside him.
"You've been on your own with no family ties
But those solo days are done"
Hunk pulled out a blue and red tie and pulled Lance towards him and Blaytz. Lance landing in his father's arms.
"You've been on your own with no family ties
But those solo days are done
You'll be two of a kind
Spending quality time
Together as father and son"
The two found themselves tied together by the tie, Hunk's face on the front with a smile.
"Buildin' model ships
Takin' fishin' trips
Workin' hand in hand"
Blaytz suddenly had a paint can in his hand and Lance was being pulled by a lawnmower.
"Painting the palace
Mowin' the sand"
Hunk then appeared as a referee and blew a whistle.
"First at ten to go
With your daddy-o"
Lance had a football in his arms and a smile on his face as he ran down the field with Blaytz chasing after him.
"Once you break the ice
You can postulate paternal advice"
Hunk then broke the field like it was ice and Blaytz and Lance found themselves spinning on the rings of a planet with Hunk's face on it.
"See, you're traveling at the speed of life
That's the theory of relatives!"
The rings then tipped down and the pair landed in Hunk's arms but were then tossed up and landed with Hunk in a flying spaceship.
"It's a fine, fantabulous future
I see fruit on the family tree"
Blaytz and Lance were then dumped out of the ship and landing in a tree. Blaytz fell out of the tree and landed on a cut tree stump.
"You'll be great as a grumpy ol' grandpa"
Hunk sang as he appeared behind Blaytz as an old man.
"Bouncing babies on your knee!"
Hunk sang as he appeared as three babies on the man's lap.
"You can fall asleep on the comfy couch
After playin' one-on-one"
Hunk sang as he appeared laying down on a couch and tossed a basketball to Lance.
"Reamin' back-to-back
Betcha wallop the Shaq
Together as father and son"
The three then started to play a game of basketball. Hunk trying to stop the two from scoring a hoop. Blaytz then picked Lance up and placed him on his shoulders, allowing him to score on Hunk. Hunk plopped down on the ground with a pout on his face as the pair high-fived each other.
"May be a bumpy ride"
Blaytz sang as he appeared in a blue Hunk bumper car.
"We'll make it side by side'
Lance pointed out as he bumped into his father in a darker blue Hunk bumper car, a smile on his face. The pair suddenly found themselves in a roller coaster climbing up to the top, where Hunk was dressed as a tour guide.
"Good afternoon, I'll be your travel guide," Hunk said with a smile as he pulled the lever(Wrong Lever!) and the roller coaster sipped down the hill.
"Good afternoon, I'll be your travel guide
Move over, Lance
Make room for dad!"
Hunk sang as he appeared small on Blaytz's shoulder.
"You got a whole new shoulder to cry on
Take a chance now, give it a spin"
Hunk jumped off Blaytz's shoulder and spun a wheel with a bunch of Lance's face on each area of the wheel.
"You've had chums for palin' around with
But you never had a friend like him"
Hunk appeared behind Blaytz and cut the thieves out into paper, before mushing the paper around and creating a paper Lance in his hands.
"Put your checkered past behind you now
No more living on the run"
Blaytz and Hunk were now sitting a table all peaceful until police sirens went off and Blaytz found a spotlight on him. He started to run away as a spotlight shone on him and followed him as he ran.
"Face the big, bright, beautiful future
Together, together, together, together as father and son"
Blaytz and Lance appeared small in Hunk's hands. Blaytz was now dressed in a pair of black pants that were tucked into a pair of brown boots, a dark blue shirt with gold trimming and loose sleeves, a black coat with no sleeves, a golden belt around the waist, and a grey hat on his head.
The pair shared a smile before Blaytz ruffled Lance's hair and the two shared a hug.
Apoligizes for taking so long to post. I've been moving all my stories over to my account on Archive of Our Own. If you want to go and take a look on that profile feel free to, I'm underr the same name as here(Alchemygirl8)