AAAAAAAAAAAA I'm so sorry. With busy schedules and mental health and just a bunch of crap has made it hard to write. I'm going to try and build up a stock of chapters before I start posting them again that way there's not as much of a wait. Unfortunately that means it'll be awhile till the next chapter on this story so I'm sorry about that.

But hey I managed to get this out on Sonic's birthday so yay!

Alright so it got corrupted or something on the first upload so yay technology! Thanks to skiller339 and SharpDragonnKlaw for informing me of the problem and let's hope it works this time.

So that's a no on try two. I'm deleting everything and reloading. Plz work

Guys I'm dying.

skiller339: I'm glad you like it so far :3 Hopefully the next chapter take so long

Ryu the Weredragon: Thanks for the corrections! I'll have to go back and correct them when I get the time

SharpDragonKlaw: The family moment are always the most fun to write so it's great that you enjoy them too :3 Thanks!

eventyraren: I am doing more now! I apologize for the long wait

Thank you all for your patience with my sporadic uploading and I hope you enjoy!

"I forgot how cold it was out here." The blue hedgehog huddled into himself, tightening the bright orange coat around him. "Why's the oracle gotta live out here?"

"Because not many people come out here, Sonic." Sonia told him, not glancing away from the white landscape in front of them.

The four royals had headed out first thing in the morning. Sonic had been worried about his old jacket fitting him but somehow it had slid on with little issue. Sonia had been a little disappointed, wanting to get the hedgehog something newer than the old worn coat, but had been placated by Sally. The ride had mostly been spent with tales of the seer for Sally and short music breaks with Sonic using his guitar and Manic (who had been banished to the back to stop any pleading to drive and hitting every pothole in the road) drumming on the walls and seat.

"Why does he isolate himself anyhow?" the green hedgehog asked, leaning over the seats.

His brother shrugged, "Just an oracle thing I guess."

"Well you can ask him yourself," Sonia cut in, "We're almost there."

"Finally!" Sonic exclaimed as he leaned forward to look out the window, "Feels like it took forever."

Sally rolled her eyes, "Always so impatient."

"Honestly."

"Thanks girls," Sonic smirked at the two before turning back to the window. "There it is!" the hedgehog pointed into the snowy hills, "See the cave there Sal?"

She nodded, "That's where he lives?"

"Yep. Hopefully he's got some answers to this whole mess."

"Some non-cryptic answers preferably."

The van slowed to a stop in front of the cave, giving one last shudder as Sonia cut off the engine. "Let's find out. Come on boys."

The inside was surprisingly warm compared to the chill that bombarded them out in the snow. Everyway they looked there was a potion bubbling or frothing and stacks of book pile nearly to the ceiling at places. And yet there wasn't a oracle in sight.

"Hey Orc!" Sonic called, "You here?"

"Indeed."

There was a squeak of surprise from the acorn princess as a flash of bright green light revealed the seer right in front of them.

"Was that necessary?" Sonic asked as Sally got a hold of herself.

"I was out when you were approaching, so yes it was. It's good to see you again Sonic."

The was a small sigh from the hedgehog before he smiled, "It's good to see you too." He gestured to the now composed girl next to him, "This is Sally."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Oracle."

"You as well young princess. It's been quite some time."

There was a collective silence.

Slowly Sonic rose his hand, "I have questions."

A small chuckle escaped him, "I visited King Acorn back when you were first born. Do you think I only spoke to the hedgehog royal family?" he added at the surprised looks around him.

"Daddy never mentioned you to me." Sally spoke up in a small voice, seemingly in partial shock.

"Well you were quite young princess and my warnings were quite vague."

"Warnings?" Sonic gripped Sally's hand, his face contorted, "You told him about Robotnik?"

"As much as I could. The information I was given about Robotnik regarding his own kingdom was minimal. But that is not why you are here is it?"

Sonic didn't look happy about the sudden change in subject but a gentle squeeze from Sally kept his from doing any more than tapping his foot. "N-no. We're here in regards to your prophecy about the council of four and perhaps the barrier around Robotropolis if you know anything about that."

"Unfortunately, there is little I can say about the prophecy. It shall unfold as it's been told, there is little I can do."

"Uuuuuuh. Slight problem with that." Sonic stated, growing more and more agitated with each word, "Buttnik is done! Kaput! Bitten the dust! How exactly is the council of four going supposed to make Robotnik fall if he's already down?"

"These matters are never so clear, young hedgehog." The Oracle calmly told him, not even bashing an eyelash at the outburst.

"No kidding."

"Sonic!"

"However, the barrier is something I may be able to offer some assistance." All attention was refocused on the seer. "The barrier is a magical construct. A hasty construct, but a construct none the less."

"That thing is hasty?"

"Manic!"

"For something of its power level, it certainly is. It's a wonder that you all so easily passed through."

"You know what it is?" Sonia asked.

The Oracle wandered over to a crystal ball he had on his table, "Nothing exact. The barrier also stops me from peering to far into the city," the were a few worried glances between the visitors, "But from what I've been able to sense it seems like some sort of magical residue."

"Residue?"

"This is just residue from something even bigger?"

"We are so screwed."

"No we're not! We just need to figure out what it is!"

The loud clearing of the oracle's throat stopped any further comments. "Yes, it is only part of a larger power source, but it also seems to be somewhat sentient. And," he sent a pointed look towards the hedgehog and squirrel still holding hands, "Seems to be loosely connected to the two of you."

"I'm sorry could you repeat that?" Sonic asked, his rapidly tapping foot suddenly coming to a halt.

"This thing has something to do with them?" Sonia added, worry seeping into her voice.

"That means it might not be all bad though right?" Manic tried, though even he couldn't avoid the slight edge of unease from sneaking into the words.

"Unfortunately," The Oracle started, dashing any hope there with only his first word. "This being is most certainly malevolent."

The four of them exchanged worried glances and the words sunk in.

"Why can't anything be simple?"