Amy was standing at her balcony looking out to the night, worried about Sonic, Knuckles see's this "Oh, come on, you can't both be blue" he said to himself before appearing next to her "Hey, Amy, where's Blaze? I thought she'd be with you" "She's guarding the palace with Fang, they've both been a bit paranoid since the wedding". Amy knew he was trying to distract her, but she had to ask something "Knuckles, you would know if anything happened, right? It's just I thought he'd be back by now". Knuckles trying to act serious turned Amy towards him "He'll be back, Sonic's the toughest guy I know" this didn't seem to comfort Amy who began to walk back inside. Before Knuckles could think of what else to say Shadow then appeared who was apparently doing the opposite by trying to be funnier as he was dressed like an elderly nanny. "Listen to Shadow dear, Shadow knows. You've got to get your mind off this incessant waiting" he took Amy's arm and made them appear in the palace hall. "I know what will cheer you up, a big helping of genie magic" he then made flowers and gifts appear all around the hall. Amy examined them with amusement when Shadow interrupted her now dressed like a salesman "I've said a million times the one thing important to a wedding is a theme. Well, and a groom but I don't see him". Amy looked annoyed at this "Shadow" Shadow turned back to normal "Haha, it's a joke… I do that" on the last part he turned very serious.
Silver entered "You're doing it wrong. I know how to distract you" he then pulled out plans for the wedding "Okay, this time I'm thinking of something a little more elegant and less grey. I need you to pick out colours and-". Knuckles then appeared "Guys, what are you doing? Are you trying to stress her out more? We're supposed to-" Knuckles was interrupted when the three of them were pulled into a hug by Amy "Thanks guys, it's good to know you care" she smiled and kissed each of them on the forehead. "Thanks, I don't know how much longer I could have done those impressions" Shadow seemed happy but Knuckles and Silver laughed at him "Yeah, that was never one of your strong suits" "I can do better impressions and I don't even have my powers anymore" this caused an argument between the three as Amy walked off feeling cheered up.
Jules was leading Sonic, Tails, Jet and the now working Omega further into the lair "I find my son and lose my enemy, you've done your old man proud, Sonic". Sonic however didn't feel like speaking but Tails was more than happy to "He was trying to survive the situation you threw him in". Jules let out a short laugh at this "If I hadn't my two tailed friend, you would have all been killed right then and there, so say's the code of the forty thieves". Jet walked ahead "Yeah, about that, does this code have any rules that don't end in death" "It's a strict code" Jules replied walking past him "My kind of people" Omega said to himself. Jules walked down a short stone corridor to a wall "I did add my own part of the code, we never harm the innocent" he said before taking out a gold ring and pushing it against the wall "My men don't even know about this place". The wall slid open to reveal a secret room.
Jules led them inside and turned on the lights before speaking directly to Sonic who looked completely blank "Listen, boy, there is a treasure, the ultimate treasure. Compared to it all the treasure here is but lunch money and I am this close to finding it". Jet was getting curious "What treasure? I've never heard of anything like this" Jules seemed all to eager to explain "Are any of you aware of the metal virus". Tails lifted his head up "Yeah, I read about it. Doctor Robotnik created an infectious metal that turned people into zombots, if they hadn't found a cure when they did, he would have taken over the world". Jules metal face formed a smug smile "But do you know how they made the cure?" Jules showed them all a picture of a golden liquid. "Robotnik's prototype for the metal virus was a golden version and he considered it a failure. It transformed inorganic material as well as organic, the infection wouldn't last long outside it's container and it didn't even turn hosts into zombots". He took them further into the lair "He left it in storage and took no notice when it was stolen. So, as he was working on his perfected variant, our side studied the prototype to develop a cure and when they were done they hid the virus". Jet was now fully committed to finding this "So where is it?" "They hid it on the vanishing isle, an island that is never in the same place twice".
Omega didn't believe it "How would you know what happened to the golden metal virus?" Jules pulled away a curtain on the wall to reveal a lake with a sunken ship at the bottom but Sonic noticed that it was shining "It was here once, the infection dies very quickly, but what is left is solid gold" Jules said proudly. Jet looked happy but Tails wasn't convinced "All that gold seems to have sunk it" Jules turned to argue but then noticed that Sonic was walking away. "Son, listen, you don't know what it's like to have nothing, to stare up at a palace every day and know you deserve more, to be called a street hog". That last bit angered Sonic who ran right up to Jules and he finally spoke with years of anger in his voice "DON'T YOU DARE SAY I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I FACED EVERY DAY BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T THERE, BECAUSE YOU LEFT!". Tears began to form in Sonic's eyes, Tails was about to step forward but Jules walked forward and hugged his son with a look of shame on his metal face, Sonic didn't want a hug from him but he was to upset to try and push him off.
"Years ago, just a few days after you were born, the three of us were captured by Robotnik. Your mother and I were roboticized and the same was about to be done to you but the base was attacked and we were rescued. All your mother wanted to do was hold you in her arms, but she never could again" Jules began to look just as sad as Sonic and he went over to a small cupboard and took out a picture of him and his wife before they were roboticized. Sonic wiped away his tears and examined the photo; he had never seen either of his parents like this and he gave a small smile upon seeing how much he looked like a young Jules. Jules continued his story "There was no official cure for our condition, they were all considered to dangerous. There was a way on the black market, but we didn't have the money. So, I left, and I told her that she will hold you with her real arms again". Guilt ran over his face "But then the day's turned to months and then to years, but I couldn't go back empty handed. Until one night I returned to Shamar and I found that my wife was gone, and I feared you had perished with her. Believe me when I say I would have given anything to have her back".
Sonic remembered what his mother told him before she died "We never wanted gold, we wanted you, she wanted you more than she ever wanted to be cured". Remembering his mothers love made all the resentment in Sonic leave "I wanted a father and I still do. Come to my wedding, this time I'll even give you an invitation" Jules looked apprehensive "Sonic, I don't know". Sonic was determined "Dad, I'm leaving tomorrow. Please think about it" Jules smiled at his son "Do they still sell chilli dogs?" Sonic felt a great deal of pride from that question and nodded "Very well, I'll think about it" "Thank you" Sonic left the room, looking forward to showing his father the palace. Omega and Tails followed after him with the latter giving Jules an 'I'm watching you' gesture before leaving.
Jules began to pace the room "He won't ever understand, it just wouldn't work. I don't belong in that world". Jet then revealed he was still in the room surprising Jules "The oracle doesn't belong in that world either, it belongs in the hands of two professional treasure hunters. You and me". "I forgot you were here and you don't exactly seem like you've faced much danger". Jet smirked "Let me tell you about a guy called Infinite at some point, but for now we need the oracle". "The oracle is probably just another dead end" Jules began to walk away but Jet ran after him "It works, how do you think we found you? It knows everything". Jules smiled at this "Everything?" Jet knew he had him "Yep, and I know where they stashed it. Jules, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity" Jules was convinced "How can I pass it up?"
On the streets of Shamar Fang and Blaze were patrolling "Blaze, why don't you go back to the palace? Amy probably needs a friend right now" Blaze stared at him "Is that the only reason you want me to leave?". Fang stared back for a second "Okay fine, I need someone to keep an eye on the three crazies and everyone else is either sad or hunting relatives" Blaze pretended to be offended by that "Excuse me one of those so called crazies is my boyfriend". Fang didn't seem deterred at all "I stand by what I said" Blaze smiled "Yeah, I get your point, quite frankly I'm surprised the palace hasn't blown up yet. See you tomorrow" Blaze began to head back leaving Fang on his own. He continued walking through streets until he heard a laugh "You're on your own, good" Fang recognised the green hedgehog that just walked out of the ally "You?" "Glad to know you remember me, I have to wonder how badly I hurt you". Fang pulled out his revolver "I'd be happy to show you" Scourge put his hands up and gave an innocent smile "Easy, I'm not here to fight and I get it, you want to hurt the man who tried to hurt you family, but I'm just a grunt following orders. What if I gave you our leader, the man who put them in harm's way?". Fang looked sceptical "I'd ask what's in it for you?" "The sight of the King of Thieves being on the executioners block, something that would also make you one of the most famous men in Shamar and all you'll need is two words, open sesame" Scourge gave a devilish grin to Fang.