The bright light from Celebi faded soon after. When the glare stopped burning Logan's eyes, he tried to open them. But what greeted him left him utterly stunned: in front of him lay a village, with crisscrossed fields and scattered houses, exuding a rustic, country vibe.
Yet Logan didn't understand. One moment he was in the forest; the next, a village appeared? Riolu beside him was equally surprised when he opened his eyes. Was this related to Celebi? Logan suddenly realized something, but at this moment there was no sign of Celebi anywhere.
While Logan searched for Celebi, a childish voice spoke from behind him.
"Excuse me, is this the Lucario Kingdom?"
The sudden question startled Logan. He didn't know how to answer, since he himself didn't know where he was. With no options, Logan turned around and replied awkwardly.
"Sorry! I don't know where this place is either!"
"How could you not know? You're obviously with a Riolu, so this should be the Lucario Kingdom."
Turning to answer the questioner, Logan now saw what the speaker looked like: a seven- or eight-year-old boy, with a huge backpack on his back, a black tilted hat, and striking blue hair and eyes.
"Me and Riolu, what does this have to do with the Lucario Kingdom?"
Logan still didn't understand what the boy was saying, so he asked.
"There's a legend that between Sinnoh Region's Mount Coronet and Veilstone City there exists a special village where Lucario lives. It's called the Lucario Kingdom. People living there mostly pair up with Riolu or Lucario, and you've got a Riolu by your side, so I'm asking you."
The boy's explanation suddenly clarified things for Logan: the little boy's misunderstanding was entirely because of Riolu. So Logan explained:
"You've got it wrong; my Riolu hatched from a Pokémon egg and has nothing to do with the Lucario Kingdom. And I'm here for the first time, I have no idea what this place is."
Not explaining would be fine, but this explanation caused the little boy's previously happy excitement to drop to the ground.
"I thought I found it! I followed the map, and this should be right between Mount Coronet and Veilstone City. I've only seen one village so far, so it must be this place! I'll go ask in the village! Thanks, big brother!"
The boy finished speaking and started toward the village, but Logan followed him. Since he didn't know what this place was, following the boy couldn't hurt. And if this really is the Lucario Kingdom, perhaps they'd see many Lucario?
"Why are you so determined to find the Lucario Kingdom? What do you plan to do there?"
Seeing Logan trailing along with Riolu by his side, the little boy could only explain as they walked: "You should know, Riolu and Lucario are known as Emanation Pokémon; they can use a special power—Aura. I want to learn how to use that power, so I've been searching for the Lucario Kingdom."
Understanding the little boy's goal, Logan realized that ordinary people learning to use Aura might be possible. He suddenly thought of Aura Guardian Sir Aaron, who can use Aura. Could this little boy have heard legends of Sir Aaron and think anyone can learn Aura?
"Kid, have you heard too many stories about the Aura Guardian, thinking everyone can learn to use Aura? That's unlikely!"
"Aura Guardian? What's that? Can he use Aura too?"
The little boy clearly didn't know about the Aura Guardian and hadn't heard those stories, which made him curious.
"Don't you know the Aura Guardian? The Aura Guardian is the one who stops wars, using Aura to calm conflicts and protect Cameran Palace—Sir Aaron! Haven't you heard that story?"
"Big brother, you're making that story up, right? I've heard it, and I wouldn't believe it anyway—who would take my name as a hero?"
My name? Logan was taken aback by the little boy's taunt. What does it mean to make his name a hero?
"You mean your name is Aaron?"
"Yes! I'm Aaron, born in Rota Town in the Kanto Region!"
The little boy's answer shocked Logan, because he knew the legendary Aura Guardian Sir Aaron was born in Rota Town, Kanto. Could this boy be the legendary Aura Guardian? But no—the Aura Guardian was supposed to be an adult, not a child. And if he's here to learn Aura, isn't that Sir Aaron?
If the boy really is the legendary Aura Guardian, and he doesn't yet know how to use Aura, it would mean they're in an era before Sir Aaron even learned Aura. How could this happen? At that moment, Logan thought of Celebi again. Yes—the intense light must have been Celebi's power to travel through time and space.
Logan realized they'd somehow been brought to a time before the existence of the Aura Guardian. What is Celebi trying to do by bringing them here? He couldn't figure it out, but he figured following Sir Aaron might reveal something.
"Aaron! You say you want to go to the Lucario Kingdom to learn how to use Aura. How do you know you possess the power of Aura?"
Logan's voice carried a hint of doubt, but Aaron didn't seem bothered. He patiently explained.
"Actually, I don't know if I truly have Aura. I can sense the inner feelings of Pokémon at times and even hear their thoughts. From what I know, Riolu and Lucario's Aura can do the same, so I've guessed that I might have Aura too. If I really have Aura, I'd like to stay in the Lucario Kingdom to train."
That sounded almost unfair—born with Aura? The ability to sense Pokémon's inner thoughts and hear their thoughts—this power was incredible. No wonder he could be the Aura Guardian. Logan suddenly felt a twinge of envy toward Sir Aaron's talent.