Blue fidgeted with the scabbard strapped to his side, made from spare treated Rhydon skin Rose… found. Blue didn't ask any more questions, considering her father and the fact she was family now. The hilt stuck out just enough to grab it with his mouth. Apparently Rose was familiar with making stuff like that. And fast too!

Because their 'vacation' was over. It was time to head back. And they had a few goodbyes to say, and some promises to make.

"I would like more of an explanation of what I am," Psych said, floating a large ball of debris. "But you've told me enough for now. A clone of Mew…"

"Yeah, sorry I can't be more help," Blue said. "But Mr. Thesus has had a month to decipher the books in there. Maybe they can tell you more?"

"I hope so. Please tell him I will be paying him a visit after I finish here. I understand my appearance can be… startling."

"Honestly I think he'd be happy to see you. You're a real, breathing remnant of humanity. He's been studying that for his entire life. I think you'll get along."

"I… suppose I am…" Psych looked away, something akin to confusion crossing his face. "I look forward to it."

"A-alright I-"

"Blue!"

The triplets ran up to him, circling both their big brother and the mutant.

"Do you really have to go?" Yellow asked, eyes pleading.

"Are you ever gonna tell us what that thing is?" Silver asked, eyeing the sheathed horn blade.

"Seriously, what is your friend?" Green asked, staring unblinking at Psych. The mutant seemed a bit uncomfortable at the gaze…

"I'll write more," Blue promised his younger sister. "I still gotta do a bit more research, Silver, and don't stare, Green, it's rude."

"Ok..." they all groaned, then hugged their big brother.

"We'll miss you," they said at the same time.

"I'll miss you guys too," Blue said as he hugged. "Stay out of trouble, alright?"

"Well…" started Silver.

"We'll try for sure…" Yellow looked away.

"...I'll keep an eye on them," Green promised.

He gave his younger siblings a look, smiled, nodded to Psych and went to join the rest of the group. As he approached, Rio sat bolt upright, still stiff from his last healing session, as Griza loomed. Everyone had given them quite a wide berth.

"The second I'm done with my thing," she said, smiling. "I'm gonna go find you again, and we can be together for good, alright?"

"Griza, listen-" Rio started.

"Love you Honeypot!" she gave him one last bone rattling pat, Blue swore he could almost see his spine start to give, before she picked up a pile of boulders ten times her size, and went to throw them into the giant hole the Riolu made in the woods. Rio groaned as he watched her go.

"She always like that?" Rose asked, handing Rio a Sitrus berry. Rio took it gratefully, swallowing it and straightening out.

"Pretty much…" Pana watched her go, as the rest of Blue's family watched in awe at her raw strength.

"I'll see if I can talk to her," Rose said, looking back. "Get her ears working."

"...Thanks." Rio said between munches.

"Good luck," Scales said, before turning back to Finn. "And you're sure you wanna go with Griza? She's a friend, sure, but it's an acquired taste…"

"I feel like I have to," Finn answered. "especially after that…plus I've always wanted to see the Grass Continent! Lotsa recipes, Treasure Town with the cafe… it's world famous!"

"That does sound awesome…"

"...but you can't come with, right?"

"Probably not… can't just leave them."

"I get that. Just… don't be a stranger, alright?"

"Yeah…" and then Scales gave the Gabite a big hug, actually lifting him off his feet, Rough Skin be damned. Finn wrapped his own arms around the large Hakamo-o. They both seemed to really enjoy it. In fact, they didn't let go for a while…

"He better lug our shit…" Pana muttered, looking at the display.

"Let him have this," Rio said, inahing the rest of his berry. "Or do I have to tell him about where you and Blue-"

"I will break your ribs again." Pana cut him off, and Blue blushed heavily as he came up to them. Rio snickered at the two of them, but said nothing else.

"I say go for it," Nutmeg whispered to her son. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say."

"Mom…" Blue mumbled.

"What? How do you think I landed your father? He was far too shy to take the first step, and as smart as he was, he was completely oblivious when it came to-"

"MOM!" Blue exclaimed.

"Alright, alright." she relented, before taking her son in a tight hug. "You've made us both proud already. Please, please be careful."

"I will mom," Blue said, hugging back. "Promise."

After some time, she let her son go, and took a step back, just in time for Red to come up. He smiled at his brother.

"What mom said," he started off.

"Well, you heard me," he smiled back. It was then that Red leaned in to whisper to his brother, and tell him something useful.

"But seriously, Veles still has his eyes on you four," he went on. "He'll still be in bed for a while, but...he doesn't let stuff go easily. When he's up…"

"We'll watch our backs." Strange, Blue didn't feel nearly as scared as he probably should be. A shudder still ran down his body of course, but… his fear wasn't crippling. It wasn't… ok. But he could deal with it. He felt they could deal with it.

"All I ask," he let his brother go, giving him an encouraging smile. "Don't let em drag you all around, alright? Not like I did…"

"Yup… enjoy marriage."

"Already am," he smiled at the Zangoose who walked up to them.

"Oh he better be," Rose said, smiling back. "And trust me, he will."

Red blushed hard at that, and that was all Blue needed to hear for a lifetime.

"Ok bye!" With that, he turned to walk with his teammates. Pana was tapping on Scales to let go of Finn.

"Come on you big lug," she said. "We're wasting daylight."

"Alright…" Scales let the Gabite go, smiling. "We'll see eachother again, yeah?"

"Yeah," Finn said, grinning right back. "We will! And I'll have a big meal prepped just for you!"

"You know me so well."

"Let's go!" Pana threw Scales a bag, and he sighed to pick up more of them.

And then they were off, each Disaster waving back at the friends and family they were leaving behind. Blue himself didn't stop til they were out of sight, and from what he could see neither did his own family. He sighed, and turned to face the road they walked.

"So," Rio said after a while, seemingly better. "That was a pretty good vacation."

"Minus the times we almost died?" Pana asked.

"Nah, even with that."

"...Is it bad that I agree with Rio?" Blue asked.

"He's getting to you," Pana shot back, and Scales rumbled with laughter, despite his load. Even Blue chuckled.

"Could do with less near death experiences honestly," the Bidoof admitted. "But… thanks guys."

"For?" Scales asked.

"You're the reason I could go back. That I could honestly be proud of what I've done, the stories I could share. Prove myself." He looked down at the now dirt road out of town, and towards the forest path in front of them. They had a bit of a trek ahead of them. "Without you guys, I never would have done that. So thanks."

"We're your friends," Rio said simply, patting him on the back. "You don't have to thank us for that."

"But I want to, so let me."

They were silent for a time, before Rio spoke up once again.

"Everybody gets one."

…

"So let me get this straight," Guildmaster Jain said, clutching her head. "I send you on a well earned vacation for how you handled Diancie's situation, and you come back to tell me you fought the most dangerous crime boss on the continent, unveil new phenomania with both your team leader's genetic makeup and with the Dungeon Diancie warned us about, discover what she wasn't telling us about these supposed Legacies, and then blew a massive hole in a forest. Did I get all of that?"

"Yup," Rio said simply, chewing on a gummi. Blue sat to his side, fidgeting with his new scabbard as he looked around the Medicham's office, mentally preparing for the dressing down that was to come. Pana, who sat next to him, was calmer, looking straight ahead, at the Guildmaster, and the Noctowl that stood by her side. Thesus being there was a bit of a surprise… And of course Scales sat behind his team enjoying a selection of gummies while she talked.

"...I'm not sure whether to send you on more or less vacations," she said after some time.

"Seriously, does relax mean anything to you guys?"

"W-we tried ma'am," Blue got out. "Things just… happened."

"Wasn't our fault that bastard Veles wanted us dead," Pana shrugged. "Or… working for him I guess."

"The wedding was nice!" Scales added.

"I'm sure it was Scales," Jain sighed.

"Congratulations to your brother Blue," Thesus added. "I hope you at least enjoyed it a bit."

"We did…" Blue nodded, it was the truth.

"Now, may we see your blade?" the bird asked, nodding to the strange blue sword piece.

"W-what?" Blue sat back a little, the hilt turning away from his boss and mentor. He couldn't just give it up, he'd gone through hell! He had a promise to-

Were these his thoughts, or someone else's?

"We'd just like a closer look," Thesus reassured. "It will only be a minute or so."

"...alright."

Sure at least this was his choice, Blue unsheathed the blade with his mouth, and placed it on the desk. He winced as he drew back, ready to reclaim it the second it was ok to do so. Just because he said it was ok didn't mean he couldn't take it back the second he said so.

"Thank you," said the Noctowl, before carefully examining the jagged blue blade. "Doesn't seem like much of a sword… wide in some places, and broken at the middle."

"It works like one," Pana reassured. "I was there, trust me."

"Mmm," the guildmaster nodded, also looking at the blade. "Well, keep us updated-"

Blue wasted no time in taking the blade back, sheathing it. He immediately felt better now that it was back at his side.

"...right." Jain moved on from the sudden rudeness. "Well, unless there's any other world breaking secrets you'd like to share, I'd like to hand you your next long term assignment."

Blue hid his deep breath. There was one… but he wasn't sure he was comfortable sharing that with the guildmaster… maybe with Thesus later…

"We just got back though," Scales grumbled.

"You had a long vacation," Jain said. "Now it's time to get back to it."

"What's the job?" Rio asked, leaning forward.

"Diancie has been… frustratingly vague about her situation, the Legacies, the Labyrinth, and everything in between. Even with her donations to improve the town's infrastructure and foundation, it's still maddening."

"So you want us to get her to talk?" Pana asked.

"If you can," Jain nodded. "She may speak to more Legacies, but considering what you told us already about your theories, we need confirmation. Until then, we have to operate under your hypothesis. But that's not all I need you to do."

A drawer opened up without her touching it, and a bundle of papers floated out and towards Rio.

"What's all this?" Rio asked, looking over the first page.

"Reports of strange phenomena all over the world, similar to what happened in Gemstone and Redwood. Dungeons spreading rapidly, swallowing mon, some came back out, some never did, and neither have the rescue teams sent in after them."

"What?" Blue quickly trotted over to Rio himself to take a look as did Pana and Scales. The report was just as it said, and the next, and the next…

"Arceus…" the Bidoof whispered. Red could have been one of these casualties...that thought… really scared him.

"This has all been happening in a month?" Rio asked, eyes wide.

"It has," Jain nodded, solemn. "And considering this started after you saved Diancie, I doubt it's a coincidence…"

"...we caused this?" Blue whispered. We caused these missing mon, these deaths…

"I'm gonna stop you there," Jain said. "None of this is on you. You did the right thing, setting Diancie free. If this thing is after Legendaries like you proposed, it's most likely spreading to ensnare them and the Legacies that can free them. But, as Rio demonstrated, there's a way to stop the spread, at least for a time."

"...my big moves," the Riolu nodded.

"Exactly," Jain said. "We'll be on a monhunt for these crystals of yours, and I'd like you to travel to these places, and stop the spread wherever you can."

"I can do that," Rio nodded, taking a look at the reports again. Worry crossed his face as he read. "Where to first?"

"Before that," Thesus said. "We need to establish better communication with you all, so we're going to order some Remote orbs."

"The hell are Remote orbs?" Pana asked, but Blue was already in the process of answering. His eyes lit up at the mention of the unique tool.

"It's a special type of reusable orb! A psychic imbues power into a Spoink's pearl, and when they come into contact with each other, or the psychic's mind, a connection is established. The orb lets them communicate, even seeing their surroundings…" and it was then that the entire team, sans Scales apparently, remembered the orbs Rio got from a strange Espeon, and all their eyes widened.

"Exactly," Thesus nods. "Very rare, as Spoink hate parting with- are you all alright?"

Rio, Blue, and Pana all start digging around their bags, while Scales looks on confused.

"What are you guys-" he started, before they all pulled out the large orbs. The purple orb in the middle of the pink had expanded considerably, almost resembling a ball of dense mist. Thesus squaked in shock, while Jain could only laugh, very amused.

"Well, aren't you four on top of things?" she smiled.

"You just happened to get three Remote orbs?" Thesus squealed, incredulous.

"Four actually," Scales pulled out his own orb to follow the trend.

"Went feral Spoink hunting while I was there," Rio explained. "and an Espeon did something to the pearls.

"All of them?" both elders asked, shocked. "At the same time?"

"Uh, yeah."

"The psychic power that would take…" Thesus shuddered, rubbing at his own head.

"This was that other probable Legacy you mentioned?" Jain asked. Blue had asked the team to leave out his probable connection with Selena, at least for now… so much to process…

"Yup," Rio nodded.

"...later." Jain said, waving that off for now. "Gently touch them together please."

The Disasters did as asked, and the two elders closed their eyes. A pinkish purple mist curled around their heads, becoming thicker and more defined. Eventually it floated over, some seeping into each orb. The four orbs lit up in resonance, and dimmed. The elders opened their eyes.

"There," Jain said. "Just think about us or yourselves, and it should light up and connect."

"Awesome!" Rio gazed into his own orb, thinking. Blue stared into the mist, mesmerized by such a rare find-

When Rio's face suddenly formed out of the mist, staring back at the Bidoof.

"Boo!" he heard from both the orb and the Riolu next to him. Blue almost jumped in surprise, almost dropping the orb. The Riolu in the orb disappeared, his actual body laughing at his reaction.

"Really?" Blue asked, sighing at his beating heart.

"It was too good…" Rio chuckled. "Couldn't resist…"

"Someone's quick to try things…" Jain smirked, hiding her own laugh. "Right, I'll see if we have some extra gold badges, despite the destruction you did do work enough for a promotion. Keep up the good work, tone down the collateral."

Blue blinked, once, twice, three times. Seriously? Another promotion? Well, they did discover a lot…

"We'll try," Rio said getting up.

"Don't jinx it," Pana glowered, standing with him.

"Thanks!" Scales burped, finishing the gummis, but his stomach was still rumbling.

"Y-yes, thank you!" Blue said. "We'll do our best."

"Come see me in the library later Blue," Thesus added. "I have something to show you."

"Of course!" Blue grinned, standing. "See you then!"

And out the Disasters went.

The former partners sat together in silence for a time, before the bird broke the silence.

"Why didn't we warn them about who was waiting for them?" Thesus asked.

"Consider it a punishment for the damage." Jain said simply. "Plus, I wouldn't like to ruin the surprise, wouldn't you?"

Thesus simply sighed, and silently worried.

…

"Think anyone messed with it while we were gone?" Rio asked, stretching his finally unsore body. Heal Pulses could only do so much.

"They'll regret it if they did," Pana said simply.

"So what's for lunch?" Scales asked, sniffing. "I'm thinking stew."

"Well, I could make mom's stuff…" Blue said as he walked with them.

"That'd be awesome!" Rio said. Weird how Scales didn't react though. He was still sniffing the air.

"Think someone beat you to it Blue…" Scales said after some time. "Smells… good. Familiar."

"What are you-" then Rio smelled it. The tangy, yet savory smell. He knows that smell. He drank so much of it, he grew so sick of it. But now that it's been a while...he found his stomach rumbling for a taste.

"What's that smell?" Blue asked. Rio didn't bother to answer, none of the Disasters did. Rio could hear his heart thumping in his ears. He didn't want to say it, but he had to confirm, they all did.

"Guys?" Blue shouted after them, running behind. "What's wrong?"

Soon the Disasters burst into the clearing, looking at their treehouse. The yard looked as they left it, besides one new feature. The fire pit they dug was being used, and something was boiling over it. Red misty clouds swirled as the stew boiled. The siblings froze at the sight.

"Rio, where are they?" Pana demanded, looking around desperately for any sign of the chefs.

"I don't sense them!" He yelled back. It was true, the only Auras he could feel in the area were the four Disasters.

Four.

Shit.

"Sense who?" Blue asked, looking around. "Why does that soup have clouds?"

"Nostalgic…" Scales said, also looking around frantically.

"Blue!" Rio said. It was too late, they were already coming. "Remember what I told you before we left?"

"You mean about-"

"Now that's rude, Rio," a new voice rumbled right behind him. It was deep, gruff, but calm. "Sending your new friend off before he even meets us. I thought we taught you better."

The Riolu's blood ran cold at the familiar voice. It was too late. If one was here-

"It's been half a year, and that's your first thought?" another voice called from the same position. This was similarly gruff, but had a softer tone. Female, and also very familiar. "I thought you would miss us more. I'm hurt."

Rio took a deep, deep breath, mentally preparing for what was coming, and turned around. His siblings had already frozen at the sight of their parents. Blue, for his part, was gawking at the sight of the towering mon.

They had long ago taken off their cloaks, both bears' black and white fur stood out against the green and brown of the forest. Arms crossed, and fingers of yellow fur, the two bears gave their children a disappointed look, yellow muzzles frowning. What looked like black and white headbands flowed in the wind. The black tufts that hung from their waists similarly blew in the wind. Their stances, even like this, were firm, unyielding.

Just like the siblings were taught.

"Mom…" Pana said.

"Dad…" Scales followed.

"Master Kuma, Master Ursa…" Rio added.

"...Your masters are the URUSHIFU?" Blue gawked at the Legendary masters of all martial arts, who sternly stood in front of their dinner.

"We are little Legacy," Master Kuma said in his gruff, deep voice.

"It'll be good to get to know you," Master Ursa added. "On the way back."

"...back?" Blue took a step back.

"To the Isles of course," Master Ursa smiled at the Bidoof. "You're all coming home."

"W-wha-"

Fight.

The pink stone on Rio's arm suddenly lit up and his body changed. His blue and black fur turned white and pink, his tail straightened, and ribbons of flesh sprouted out of his arms and neck, looking like a bow tie suddenly sprouted there.

"Nice trick," Master Ursa siad, before the tendrils lashed out at the bears.

Who jumped back with ease.

"Needs some work though," Master Kuma responded, before blitzing Rio with a Mach Punch. The blow knocked the wind out of him, and he was sent flying back into the trees. His Sylveon form left him as his vision started to darken.

His final sight was Pana and Scales stepping forward, their attacks caught in the other Urushifu's paws. She lifted her children up, and slammed them into each other. Pana crumpled, while Scales took another big blow before succumbing.

Well, their world tour was over…

He only hoped Blue could get away.

And then he was out.

…

Blue did not run away.

He ran towards Pana, the unconscious Pancham laid in the dirt. She had to be ok, she had to be…

"Now," one of the masters, Kuma, said. "Are you going to show us what you've learned, or will that wait?"

Blue knew he stood no chance. The team was dismantled in actual seconds. He had to run, he had to-

Resolve.

Blue found himself gabbing for his blade. It hummed with power as his teeth made contact, the blue light sparking.

"Already learning how to use it," Ursa said. "Good."

And then Blue felt the fist slam into his head. Hard. He crumpled, vision fading fast.

"We'll see what we can do."

And everything went black.