The court banquet reached its final event, and Ash followed the instructions, striking the pose the Aura Guardian used when wielding the staff.
Hum~ Azure light suddenly erupted. After a bout of violent trembling, the staff went limp... no, scratch that.
A handsome Lucario appeared before everyone, eyes tightly shut.
"Why! Why did you abandon the royal city!" Lucario lowered his head to check for a moment, then darted straight in front of Ash and demanded agitatedly, "Sir Aaron, why!"
"Sir Aaron... you mean the Aura Guardian...?" With a Lucario clutching his collar, Ash was completely stunned. What was going on here?
The guests had wanted to stay and watch the drama, but the queen politely ushered them all out of the hall, leaving only Ash and his group, along with Caitlin and the other woman, to watch.
"That's the legendary Lucario, the Aura Guardian's partner," Queen Irene blurted out.
Everyone was astonished. The Aura Guardian's Lucario-wouldn't that make him several hundred years old?
"Lucario, that isn't Sir Aaron. Please stop," Queen Irene intervened in time.
Only then did Lucario slowly calm down and open his eyes.
The moment he did, Ash's guileless, slightly foolish face appeared before him.
"Lu~" Lucario jolted and backed away two steps. This wasn't Sir Aaron. But could there really be identical Auras?
Taking in the resplendent palace, Lucario was at a loss for a moment, then hurried outside.
Thump! In his haste, Lucario crashed straight into Young Master Mao as he was coming in.
"Hey~ watch where you're going." Young Master Mao staggered from the collision, but Decidueye steadied him.
"Sorry..." Lucario's Telepathy reached him before he continued rushing outside.
"Lucario!" Ash hurried after him, then froze when he saw Gary and the tightly bound Kido behind him.
"What's this?"
"Don't worry about it."