What follows is an event that takes place in a somewhat distant future, perhaps followed by the previous preview.

As such, you have been warned of some massive spoilers that may or may not affect the story greatly.

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If you got to the end of this path of dots, I guess you don't mind.

Please, enjoy.

Smash World

Path to the Village

The Hollow suddenly retracted, shrinking back into a single spot within five seconds, until it shrunk so small that it eventually vanished from sight over the road.

"…"

To say Lycaon was utterly dumbfounded to what he had just seen happen would be a massive understatement. The wolf butler stood speechless, red pupil shrunk in pure shock seeing the Hollow vanishing before him. From the silence that came with him going mute essentially, only the sounds of the local fauna of the road leading to the Smash Mansion reminded him, through his absolute horror that he was left abandoned, that what had happened…did indeed happen.

"…How…?" Lycaon finally breathed out, looking around his new setting; a serene grassy area with each side flanked by a different forest's trees. It all looked bizarre to him, because he wasn't truly used to be at a place where he couldn't spot a Hollow in the horizon. His gaze looked around in the sky to see if he could spot another Hollow…but he came empty. The mysterious land he was stranded at was peaceful…

Too peaceful for his tastes.

"…" The wolf butler furrowed his brow in thought. He had to come to his senses, desperately. Panic was not an option now, lest he wanted to look like a pathetic dog running around aimlessly. "(Focus, focus, Lycaon. There has to be some sort of silver lining to this…this situation…!)" He growled. "(But…why, though? Why would the Dead End Hollow…disappear so suddenly?! That was a possibility in the far future, but not now! If it disappeared, Ellen and Butler should have…! Dammit!)" Panic was getting to him as he thought back on his allies, who managed to get back in before he could. He looked around again to see if they had somehow exited the void…but alas, there were no signs of them.

…Just the hill hiding the village from view behind Lycaon…and the mysterious mansion in the distance in front of him…

His attention focused on the mansion, but his thoughts remained on Ellen and Butler. Putting those two together…could there be hope?

Lycaon growled again, clenching his fists to his side. Looking serious, there was nothing more to do…but reach the mansion, where he hoped maybe his lost allies had gone.

Somehow…

…despite barely seeing them leave a few seconds ahead of him.

So the wolf butler, a grimace on his face, walked towards the mansion.

As he walked, Lycaon attempted to distract himself by looking around some more. Nothing else was different about the flanking forests and grassy area. No Hollows were seen past the canopy of the trees. He even stopped a few times to see if maybe he could find Ellen or Butler resting by a tree, since the shark girl was obsessed with dozing off whenever she wanted and would often test Lycaon's patience whenever he wanted her to follow his orders but felt a little lazy and not motivated enough. Her skills as a normal maid were…perhaps in need of some refinement, but she made up completely with her superb techniques as a capable Hollow diver. And yet, Lycaon, being the oldest member of his faction, he'd treat her like a daughter, though not as close, as Ellen would annoy Lycaon with her lackadaisical nature. He still remembered the absolute embarrassment when she got a referral for falling asleep in class at her school and he had to act as her guardian because it was also a dire time when her duties with Victoria Housekeeping were required at the same time.

"Ellen, I don't care if I had to relieve something that embarrassing again, but please…be safe," Lycaon muttered under his breath. "(At least Butler must be with her… It should guide her out of the Hollow, if the path hasn't twisted as much as it did earlier…)"

Smash Mansion

Front Gate

After a while of walking, the wolf made it to the gates of the mansion, looking through the bars. He couldn't help spotting the comically small house that was in the barred path to the right inside, which was so out there when it was next to the towering building. Lycaon quickly arrived to the conclusion that the fun-sized house must have belonged to a pet…though it seemed a bit bigger for a pet…

But he wasn't even there to judge housing choices now.

Looking to his left, Lycaon spotted a call box on the pillar facing away from the building. He approached it and took a second to spot the red button at its center to speak to the inside. Over the call box was a button for the mansion's doorbell. He pressed it once, allowed a second to pass, and then pressed it again. He waited for a moment until someone could answer his call.

"…" Lycaon looked up at the mansion, taking note of its spacious ten floors. His ears perked up when he heard the call box speaking. A red light over the red button turned on, indicating that a connection was established.

"Okay, so when you hear the bell ringing, someone is standing outside the gate. You're gonna hold down this button and ask to the box who it is," the voice of a boy came through the call box, making Lycaon tilt his head. "Oh, I'm holding the button down already…but that's fine. Now you go ahead." The light turned off for a moment before it came back on.

'U-uh…who is it?" the voice of a young lady came through.

Ignoring the instructions he just heard, Lycaon politely pressed the button on his end. "Greetings. Pardon me, but I'll make this brief." He gulped quietly, dreading that his answer would be a negative one. "Has… Has a girl with a shark tail and a small robot come to this mansion?" he asked, releasing the button afterwards.

There was a weird silence that followed. From inside, the boy grimaced as they kept the conversation hidden from Lycaon. "Oof. Sorry, Lucina, but you got a weird question right off the bat," the boy said.

"I-I'm at a loss, Ness," Lucina said. "Do we know a girl with…a shark tail? And a robot, whatever it is?"

"No," Ness said pointedly, looking outside the window, barely seeing Lycaon's shadow from behind the pillar with the call box but never seeing how Lycaon actually looked. He closed the curtain. "Alright, let's tell the guy we haven't seen them. Go ahead."

"Okay."

"…You're pressing the light bulb."

"S-sorry," Lucina held down the right button. "My apologies, sir, but…we haven't seen such people around."

Lycaon grew sick almost immediately, the answer cutting through him like the world's feeblest wet tissue paper. He lowered his head, cursing under his breath that things were looking horrible.

Ness looked back outside when a little while of silence passed, noticing the owner's shadow didn't leave yet. "He hasn't left…" Ness told Lucina, closing the curtain again.

"Should I…keep talking?" Lucina asked.

Ness shrugged. "I mean, if you want? Whoever is outside sounds like a weirdo, but who are we to judge?"

Lucina nodded, talking back outside. "U-uh, sir? May I help you in any other way?" she asked.

Lycaon snapped out of his depression, looking dejected. He pressed the button again. "N-no, that is fine. I thank you for humoring me," he said. "I'll keep on looking elsewhere."

"Oh… That is no problem," Lucina said. Lycaon stared at the light still on. "…Maybe…you could ask for someone else?" From inside, Ness stared at her, wondering why she'd keep on talking.

Lycaon didn't want to leave Lucina alone for too long and held down the button again. "That will be fine, but alas, I am not looking for anyone else at the moment. Once again, I thank you fo-"

"Actually, our way home is across this…Hollow. We'll just walk around and be on our way."

The wolf butler gasped out loud in realization when his mind scavenged the words Chris had told him before departing. In shock, Lycaon looked at the mansion and then all around the area, noticing that there weren't any more buildings. If Chris didn't give a wrongful direction, logically, the mansion was the only place where he could have headed towards. There were no more options Lycaon could choose…so he continued.

"H-hello?" Lucina asked. "U-uh, the light is still on from my end and I think I heard you gasping?"

"Miss, please!" Lycaon called back, now sounding alarmed. "Tell me, by any chance, is there a person who goes by Chris at this mansion?" He recalled everyone else's names just to add more chances. "Are there others named Lucario, Link, Shulk, K-Kirby, Dark Pit, or Bayonetta?"

"H-huh?" Lucina was a little overwhelmed by Lycaon suddenly sounding alarmed and then hearing all the names, neither side letting go of the buttons to talk.

"Whoa, who's this guy?" Ness was heard asking. "Did they meet him back at the village? …Oh, crud! You're still holding the button down!"

Lycaon felt relieved, a smile creeping to his face. "Listen, please! I'm an acquaintance of them all. Would you allow me to see…" he chose from the names carefully, "…could I see Chris? It's urgent!"

"U-um," Lucina stammered. "I-I'm afraid that Chris and Lucario are away at the moment, and I'm not sure if the rest are home. This mansion is very big from the inside…"

The wolf butler grunted. "Would you allow me to enter and wait for Chris, if it's not much trouble?"

"…Ness?" Lucina was heard saying, looking at Ness for help.

"H-hey, wait up! Why do you want to see Chris?" Ness asked.

"I require his aid as soon as possible. I…I have no idea where I'm at," Lycaon admitted, hoping that he didn't sound embarrassed. "But I met him a while ago. Both of us became…close, should I say. He's the only one who can help me in this dire situation. I beg of you! Allow me to see him!"

The call box's light turned off, and Lycaon felt ill, realizing that his composure had broken during the call. He feared that he sounded like a crazy person and scared off whoever was talking to him.

A few seconds passed as he hoped that the call box's light would turn back on. He stared. And stared…and then the gates beside him came to life and slowly opened up. He sighed with relief. "This is my chance…" he muttered, and he quickly looked at himself over and even took out a pocket mirror to see his face, trying to look presentable. He was about to meet new people, after all, and first impressions were key to establish social connections. Whoever heard him already knew he had lost his composure, but there were always second chances if he took the right choices. He walked through the double gates, briefly looking at the comically small house on the way and then at each side between the brick wall and the mansion's walls that seemed to go around and beyond to the backside.

When he stood before the red double doors, Lycaon sighed, and he lightly knocked the door with his right knuckle.

The right door opened up, and Lucina and Ness finally saw him. Lucina, not used to seeing a tall wolf man with half his face covered under a muzzle, took a step back and lightly gasped. Ness, on the other hand, just stared with curiosity. Lycaon became wary of Lucina's preemptive reaction and then looked down at Ness…whose simple-looking eyes confused Lycaon. But then again, he had already met unique-looking people before.

…So more of them in one place could mean Chris was also around.

Looking at Lycaon's intimidating appearance from his metallic legs to his ominous attire made Lucina glare at him. "W-who are you?!" Lucina asked before drawing out Falchion. Lycaon gasped and took a step back as she got in position to attack. "Are you with the Subspace Army?!"

Lycaon wasn't expecting at all for his life to be threatened. One good look at Falchion's blade was all it took for him to know that the sword was real, and its blade refined to perfection. "W-wait, this is a misunderstanding! I am not your enemy!" he said as he put up a hand. "(Why do I keep getting mistaken for a threat?!)" the tall wolf butler with the masked face, one red eye, and the cyborg legs thought indignantly.

"WHOA WHOA WHOA!" Ness quickly stepped in Lucina's way. "Lucina, put that sword away! They can't just enter without the barrier toasting them alive if they're with them! Sure, he looks odd as hell, but he didn't try breaking in!"

Lucina took deep breaths as she glanced at Ness and Lycaon until keeping her gaze on the "intruder." "…If…if you say so, Ness," Lucina said, slowly sheathing Falchion back. Both Ness and Lycaon sighed with relief. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have judged you so rashly."

"I…understand," Lycaon said, trying to compose himself back to being his approachable self. Hearing the term "Subspace Army" completely flew by his head, not caring about what faction it was that could have warranted him to be mistakenly branded as an enemy. "Bewilderingly, this hasn't been the only time I was mistaken for a threatening person today."

Ness's eyes half-lidded at him. "You don't say," he said sarcastically; his sarcasm lost on Lycaon, who nodded obliviously. "Anyway, you said you know Chris and the others you mentioned?"

"Yes. We met before today," Lycaon said. "But I heard he's not currently here. I was wondering if I could wait for him, if it is not much trouble."

Ness shrugged. "Sure. You can't wander around, though. Visitors have to wait at the couches over there," he pointed at the couches in the middle of the lobby. Strangely, or rather conveniently, there weren't other people around on the ground floor. "I'm not sure when Chris will come back so…"

Lycaon sighed. "Right now, I do not mind how long I wait. I have all the time in the world…apparently," he said.

"Oookay," Ness said, confused. "You can come in." He stepped aside, letting Lycaon inside before closing the door.

Smash Mansion

Lobby

Quietly, as he took in the sight of the spacious lobby, Lycaon went to sit on the couch facing away from the kitchen area, sitting on the right edge where he lied back and closed his eye in thought.

Ness and Lucina had been staring at him. "Well, I'm not staying around. I'm running late for lunch so just leave him be," Ness told Lucina, noticing her stoic gaze fixed on Lycaon. "Hey, Lucina, quit it. I know what you're thinking but he doesn't seem like he's an enemy."

"Could we really trust his word?" Lucina asked without wrestling her gaze away. From his position, Lycaon clearly overheard them talking but pretended not to hear. "I can't shake this feeling that he's hiding something…"

"That's just your paranoia talking again. You keep putting up your guard around people who don't look like they came from your universe," Ness said. Lycaon kept himself from looking back at them, finding the bit of info very curious. "Ugh, I'm not gonna lecture you. Getting hungry here so don't cause a scene. See ya." He turned towards the kitchen and left Lucina, who grunted to herself and chose to come closer to Lycaon by sitting across from him past the table.

Lycaon stared back at Lucina's serious gaze, feeling a bit unnerved. "…Rest assured, I have not come here to cause any trouble," Lycaon told her, but she didn't respond, her gaze only narrowing. "…Very well." He sighed. Though annoyed that he had to deal with Lucina glaring daggers his way, Lycaon chose not to push the issue further. He only needed to wait in peace until Chris could hopefully show up from the two hallways on the ground and second floors he briefly saw to his left. He sighed again, closing his good eye.

From the left corner of the hallway on the first floor, a little creature poked his head out and spotted Lycaon's head from his low position. Curiously, he ran to the couches and came to a halt when he saw Lycaon in full. Lycaon had heard him coming, but he chose not to look since the creature's feet were far too subtle for a grown person…at least until he sensed he was being stared at. He opened his eye and blinked, seeing the creature intently staring up at him.

"O-oh, Riolu," Lucina muttered under her breath.

Riolu curiously looked at Lycaon's appearance, the wolf butler getting an odd feeling that Riolu seemed strangely familiar to him, despite having never seen a tiny blue jackal before. Wondering why he got that odd feeling, Lycaon thought back on all the events that had transpired…and then perhaps wondered if Riolu was in any way related to Lucario, now that he thought about it. Their body shapes were fairly too similar, though one was far too big than the other, and Riolu had no yellow fur at his center.

For his part, Riolu put a hand on his chin and looked up in thought. He remembered the words Chris had told him about "a tall white wolf in a nice black suit with metal legs and a long white tail who rescued and looked out after him." Lycaon certainly fit the easy description, even though Riolu wasn't aware much what a suit was. Regardless, what happened next took Lycaon and Lucina by surprise.

Fire Emblem Awakening – Shh… Easy Now, Girl. I Won't Hurt You

"Uh-ri! Ri, ri, ri!" Riolu started to cheer happily, his tail wagging quickly behind him. The other two watching were confused at his sudden outburst. He smiled towards Lycaon, going so far as to drawing a little closer to him.

"Uh…" Lycaon wasn't sure why the little creature was happy to see him.

"Why is he…?" Lucina muttered under her breath. "(Could it be…? Did he sense that this wolf man is actually harmless?)"

Riolu didn't waste more time and quickly climbed the couch, where he sat next to Lycaon, never looking away from the tall wolf man. "…Are you…happy to see me?" Lycaon asked. Riolu only responded with a happy bark and inched closer to Lycaon's left thigh. "Um… It's nice to meet you?"

Riolu went for it and embraced Lycaon from his left side, making the wolf butler gawk a bit as he looked down at Riolu's beaming face.

"I-I…" Lycaon stuttered, completely lost on why the creature was so excited to see him. He looked back at Lucina…and to further confuse him more, now the lady who had become so apprehensive of him earlier was looking at him with a smile. "Why do you look so relaxed? What is going on here?" Lycaon asked.

"I'm…sorry," Lucina said, surprising the wolf butler. "Seeing Riolu act with such happiness looking at you… It's beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're not here to cause any trouble."

"Riolu?" Lycaon repeated, and Riolu barked happily in response. He looked down at him, and then back at Lucina. "Surely the opinion of…Riolu shouldn't be taken as enough evidence to think of me as a harmless person? I am not complaining about your change in opinion, but it is curious how you changed so quickly."

"I should probably explain," Lucina said, smile fading. "Riolu… I was told that he can sense auras."

"…Auras?" Lycaon repeated the word. "(Auras…like Lucario can sense… Now that I think about it, their names and their appearances look extremely similar, but could this be just a coincidence…?)"

"Yes. He'd never approach someone with an aura that made him feel restless," Lucina explained. "He sensed yours and…well, the only thing I can think of is that he wanted to see you. That convinced me that I was in the wrong for judging you so harshly before." She flinched a bit. "I-I'm sorry for how I received you earlier. Pointing my sword at you was shameful of me."

"…Huh…" Lycaon stared down at Riolu, who only barked more when he got Lycaon's attention. "…This whole afternoon has been quite bizarre to me."

"I…can relate," Lucina said, knowing what Lycaon was getting into. "Coming to a world that you don't belong to is a true eye-opening experience."

Lycaon looked back at her, his eye widening. "Wait, you don't belong to this world either?" he asked. "No, wait... I did hear you and that boy mentioning how you were not from this...universe."

"As a matter of fact, from what I've gathered, no one in this world belongs here," Lucina said, making Lycaon stare incredulously. "We all were drawn to it by a single entity, who happens to be the god of this world."

"A…god?" Lycaon was feeling smaller at the mention of a sacred entity. From where he came from, gods were just the stuff of myths and legends, but they obviously never appeared in modern times. "Where…where is this god you speak of?"

Lucina grimaced. "…It's…the very owner of this mansion."

"…You've lost me," Lycaon admitted, not seeing how the mansion was in any way related. "Why would a god live in a household at all? Why not…perhaps, live in an ancient temple?"

"That god chose…" Lucina realized that maybe she was saying too much to a stranger. She couldn't divulge the real reason why she and the rest of the mansion inhabitants were gathered. "…I'm sorry, but I can't say any more than that. It's confidential, so…"

The wolf butler grimaced. "I suppose I'm not worthy to hear beyond what you've said, but all this is…unbelievable, and yet…" He looked down at Riolu, still beaming at him. "…I can't deny how somehow this is the "normal" of this world. It does look harmonious."

"As strange as it sounds…that is how things are," Lucina said. "But the majority of people don't get taken to this world by that god. In fact, most are people who were lost in their thoughts before realizing they had wandered into this world just realize after it's too late that they had ended up here. I think…you're another person who wandered off and noticed you got here."

"This is…this is all so strange…" Lycaon said, unable to comprehend the situation. With the facts he got, he decided to continue the conversation. "Are you a person who got lost?"

"No, I'm not," Lucina said. "I… No, almost everyone in this mansion was picked by the god to come here on his behalf. It's related to what I can't say to you."

"I suppose I understand your point," Lycaon said. "Wouldn't that mean… Are Master Chris and the rest chosen ones as well?"

"Master Chris?" Lucina repeated.

At the mention of Chris's name, Riolu started barking even more, his tail wagging even faster. Lycaon took notice of his outburst. "He seems happier. Did I say something he liked?"

"Oh…I should've said this sooner, but Riolu belongs to Chris," Lucina said, smiling a bit. Lycaon gasped at the new info as he exchanged glances between Lucina and Riolu. "You see, Chris looks after some extraordinary creatures at his room. I think they're called "Pokémon," if I recall. We also have someone else who does the same. Oh, and also, Lucario is also another like Riolu."

"A…Pokémon?" Lycaon wondered.

"Yes, so many people in this mansion come from so many different universes. It's overwhelming to learn what their lives and rules are, but eventually I got used to it." Lucina flinched a bit. "…Or I'm still trying to. Every day in here is a brand new experience."

Lycaon looked back at Riolu practically having a good time by his side. Hesitantly, he stroked Riolu's head, who let him rub it. Riolu playfully nudged his head against Lycaon's palm, making the wolf butler finally crack a small smile. "So Master Chris looks after you, doesn't he? As expected for someone so kind," he told Riolu. Riolu nodded against his palm, leaning against his chest. "Though you don't seem like you can communicate, your actions speak far louder. You are a smart…Pokémon, I believe."

Lucina chuckled as she watched both of them relaxing. All her aggression she had towards Lycaon had completely vanished thanks to Riolu seeing the tall wolf as trustworthy. "So you're seeking Chris for help?" she asked.

Lycaon nodded her way. "Perhaps he knows how I can return to my…my world. I became lost after a strange occurrence happened a mile away from this mansion, actually. I have no other leads, and I'm desperate," he said.

"Hmm… If Chris knows from where you come from…"

"It would be impossible," Lycaon finished, dejected. "He and the others happened to stumble upon my world through a vicious space called a Hollow. When we found each other, he had no idea what I talked about, despite going at great length about what should be common knowledge to my side. Therefore, I do not believe he knows where I truly belong."

"I see…" Lucina trailed off in thought. "Then…perhaps the god of the mansion can help you, but…"

"…But?"

"He's currently unavailable too," Lucina said. "He is always busy with his own matters."

Lycaon didn't like to hear that his chances to go back to his world were almost nonexistent, but he held onto hope. He thought that, at least, he knew someone he could rely on in the strange world where Hollows didn't exist. The world's tranquil peace unsettled him, since his job almost always entailed diving into the Subspace-like voids and combat either Ethereals or villainous Hollow Raiders. In a world with no Hollows to speak of…he self-deprecated himself as another butler, despite the fact he was far too proficient in a massive variety of services that no ordinary butler could do.

Not to mention the fact he still was a boss to his own faction in his world where Hollows did exist. He worried that his absence would negatively affect Victoria Housekeeping. Their boss disappearing surely alerted everyone who often contacted him, especially two particular store owners whom he had a close relationship with.

Now that he thought about those two store owners, he found it rather curious that he really did keep meeting people through misunderstandings. He had met said store owners as trespassers into a certain Hollow area he and his team were tasked to scrutinize while keeping outsiders from getting inside. Even more coincidental was that he became open to discussion only when said store owners had helped out one of his own out of the kindness of their hearts prior seeing them infiltrate his territory. He drew similarities to when he met Chris, thinking he was a thief but actually wanted to return his pocket watch back to him. Lycaon couldn't help seeing just how similar Chris was to the store owners.

All three of them became precious people to him.

His Proxies Wise, Belle…

…And now a third one unrelated to either of them but still showed a kindness that he grew fond of.

"I'm sorry that I can't be much of help," Lucina said, noticing the downcast look on Lycaon's face. "But I'm sure we'll do what we can to help you, Sir…"

"Lycaon," Lycaon said. "Von Lycaon, head of Victoria Housekeeping, at your service," he said, abridging his formal introduction.

"I'm Lucina. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Lycaon," Lucina introduced. "Housekeeping? …You're a butler?" Lucina wondered. Lycaon nodded. "Oh, I wouldn't be able to guess. You dress…rather peculiarly for a butler." She looked at him from his many belts on his uniform and metallic legs.

"I suppose my uniform is rather unique to an outsider from my world," Lycaon assumed.

Lucina chuckled. "A butler? You remind me of my father's friend Frederick. He's our family's loyal butler and closest ally."

Lycaon got a little interested to learn about another butler. "Your family has their own butler? How do you see this Frederick?" he asked.

"He is…very meticulous on all his tasks that may trouble my father, no matter how small," Lucina said, recalling one particular task that made her smile.

Lycaon chuckled. "How curious… It appears that, no matter the world, a butler still holds true to their code. I'm happy to know that I do not feel as alone as I thought I was when all this started… But I'm stalling. Could you tell me more about Frederick?"

The swordswoman thought for a moment. "Well… Before the sun would rise, he'd wake up so early to clear the roads my father would traverse from all their rocks and pebbles in case he could trip. Frederick wouldn't live with himself if he saw my father injuring himself out of the blue."

The wolf butler looked surprised. "He…does that for his liege?" Lycaon asked before getting into deep thought. "(It's… How did I never think of doing something like that before? The streets of New Eridu could stand to be much cleaner from loose trash and rubble when I'm hired to be an escort. I've ever only gotten as far to recommending suitable sightseeing locations, but to ensure the road itself to be that secure from minor incidents… This Frederick doesn't let anything escape his notice.) What else does he do?"

"Hmm… Oh! He personally tends to my father's logs used for the chimney," Lucina recalled.

Lycaon tilted his head. "How so? I would imagine he'd measure the room's temperature whenever it'd get cold. A rather easy task, but truly necessary all the same. I don't see how it's worth mentioning, though."

"He doesn't only do that. He also chops the logs in a way that they look pleasing to watch burn in the chimney. I had no idea that it'd be possible to make an art out of burning logs!"

It was as if something as strange as making good-looking logs to burn was like the biggest achievement of humanity in the century, crushing Lycaon's whole being in his mind. "Logs that…look pleasing to watch burn… Not only would that provide ample heat, but it'd make an enjoyable atmosphere to drink hot chocolate among friends and family… Y-you can't be serious!" Lycaon gasped a little louder as he gawked. Riolu wasn't sure why Lycaon was sweating all over.

"Oh, wait, there's more!" Lucina was getting a bit too much into the conversation. "He somehow also made the windows to open up and close down by themselves whenever it'd get too hot in a room all across our home castle! They ALL open and close by themselves when they have to, no matter how small or big the windows are!"

It was the decisive blow that made Lycaon's mind explode, metaphorically speaking. "A-a home castle's system of temperature-sensitive windows of all sizes?! With such innovation, imagine how much time he saves to do other tasks in a day rather than wasting time making his way to every room to adjust the hot temperature without an air conditioner! And…the money that could be saved from not relying on electricity during those times when the outside air isn't exceedingly warm to crack open a window…" Lycaon was completely taken off-guard by all the info, certainly impressed, and somehow making a lot of sense out of Frederick's extreme ways to serve Lucina's father. Though Lucina wasn't sure what electricity or an air conditioner thing had to do with the topic, she still was proud talking about Frederick. "(Whoever this Frederick is…he is nothing short of exemplary for a butler. I must request meeting him as soon as I can. All the things I could stand to learn from such man! He'd be a true rival to all of Victoria Housekeeping! No…he'd elevate our social standing to higher heights if he could impart his wisdom to us!)"

"Yes! I don't know how he does it to keep up with his tasks every day, but he is always happy to serve my father," Lucina said, oblivious to how much she had rocked Lycaon's butlery ways. "That is beside the point that he tosses himself into battle to defend my father from threats putting his life in danger."

"U-urk…" Lycaon felt like he was going to faint. "I…I concede that such person is incredible…"

"A truly great ally," Lucina said fondly. "Maybe I could try having him meet you. I'm sure he'd like to share his skills with another butler."

Despite the fact that someone like Chris and the others could easily put up the best of words about Lycaon, Lycaon somehow saw himself as the world's smallest butler ever, ashamed that he would come very short compared to the butler wonder that was Frederick. "O-oh…I…would be glad to," Lycaon said, managing to come back from his absolute mind-blown moment. "(How could I hope to measure against such butler?)"

Then the sound of Riolu's stomach rumbling snapped him out of his shock.

The Emanation Pokémon grumbled, holding his stomach. Then, he excitedly barked at Lycaon. "You're hungry. I can tell, but…why look at me?" Riolu grabbed his hand and pointed at the kitchen behind them. Lycaon glanced over at the pristine white room and then back at Riolu. "Do you want me to come with you to the kitchen? I'm…not sure I'm allowed to wander around."

"It'll be fine," Lucina quipped before nodding. "I'll vouch for you, just this once. Chris would worry if he knew Riolu went hungry while he's away. Also, Riolu has taken a real shine to you."

"…You're right," Lycaon said, thinking that the world traveler was a very sympathetic person. If Lycaon could at least give Riolu some attention to make him happy, it would surely make Chris happy. He smiled at Riolu. "I'll be happy to accompany you. Let us wait for Chris until he comes back. I shall look after you in the meantime as a small favor for him." Riolu barked up a storm and hopped down the couch, running towards the kitchen. However, Lycaon was still holding on to his small hand, keeping Riolu from running. Riolu, confused, looked up at him getting up from the couch, kneeling down next to him. Lycaon presented his right arm in a horizontal position to the little jackal. "Allow me to carry you, Master Riolu."

Riolu beamed with glee at the offer and happily sat on Lycaon's arm. The wolf stood back up, carefully making sure Riolu wouldn't slip off from his gauntlet. They both stared at each other intently.

"Tell me, Master Riolu," Lycaon began. "Is Master Chris someone you like?" Riolu barked loudly as his cheeks blushed, tail wagging furiously. Even though Riolu couldn't speak a language, it was easy for Lycaon to tell the answer from his reaction. "I see… How about Sir Lucario?" Riolu reacted the same way, making Lycaon chuckle. "And…Kirby?" Riolu didn't react strongly, but he only nodded. "(Such a valiant creature to be able to stand to…him…and his mouth…)" Lycaon shrugged, the memory of getting swallowed whole by a hungry Kirby still haunting him.

From her spot, Lucina was smiling and obliviously blushing, enthralled by how Lycaon was treating Riolu as if he was his kid.

"…Hmm?" Lycaon noticed the intense lovingly gaze Lucina was giving him. "Miss Lucina, is something on my face?"

"W-what? Oh! I-I, no. No, it's nothing," Lucina responded as she got back up from her couch. "Don't concern yourself for me, Sir Lycaon."

Lycaon couldn't help but stare at her for a little moment. "(Once her guard is down, she behaves rather differently from her earlier impression… Perhaps I'm seeing things.)" He chuckled at Riolu. "Let us be off, shall we?" Riolu nodded happily and even rested his head against Lycaon's neck. The wolf was surprised, but he said nothing else other than smiling. His new personal duty was to provide Riolu a relaxing moment of peace as a small show of gratitude towards Chris. Without more delay, the wolf butler, the small jackal, and the swordswoman made their way to the kitchen.

The wolf butler was thankful that he had an option to forget about his stress in the strange new world. He had met truly exceptional people beyond his world willing to open themselves up to him. A very unique experience, sure, but as time flew by, he'd soon just be another visitor used to the strangeness of the Smash Mansion.

So long as his group was doing fine without him to lead them…

Okay, that's it for me wanting to write for the future. It's time I go back and build the present.

There were, of course, certain bits that didn't show before the preview started, as I found them to be extremely spoiler-y. I omitted a very important line at the start that could have totally changed the perspective of the situation above...but for you to find that out, you'll have to sit and wait till this totally zenless-looking chapter comes up.

Hope you all enjoyed this future sight! Feel free to leave a review.