"Master Gladion, are you certain?!"

The blond paced slowly back and forth, speaking with Faba on the other end of his earpiece. "Yes. There is a pokemon trapped in Nihilego's world, of this I'm sure."

"Then that explains the appearances of so many Nihilego..."

"Faba, we need a way to enter the Ultra Wormhole. Do you still have that device you made for Mother? The one that opens wormholes?"

An audible gasp could be heard through the earpiece. "Young Master, you can't be thinking of... The president would never approve of you doing something so reckless!"

Gladion huffed, frowning in irritation. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm acting president, what I say goes. Get that device up and running, and make all the necessary preparations, we're going to need it."

Faba sighed in exasperation. "Of course, Master Gladion."

Gladion took off the earpiece, slipping it back into his pocket. He then looked to Chloe, who was sitting on a rock, absentmindedly staring out at the wilderness. She still had wet tear streaks down her cheeks from where she'd been crying, and her eyes were a bit red and puffy.

"Chloe, you okay?" the boy inquired. "Are you ready to go yet?"

The redhead looked at him, broken from her depressing thoughts. "Y-yeah." She stood, wiping her cheeks and eyes. "I'm ready." She sniffled a little, refraining from breaking down again.

Gladion carefully brought her into a comforting hug. "Are you sure? We can stay a little longer if you need more time."

Chloe gripped the front of his hoodie, managing a smile and resting her head on his shoulder. "Yes, don't worry. There's no point in moping. We need to go, we have to save Lucario."

The blond released her, smiling. "That's right. So, let's go to Aether. Faba's going to patch up a machine to open a wormhole for us."

With a nod, Chloe called out Braviary, and they set out. It was already late in the day, so by the time they made it to Aether, the sun was setting. Gladion allowed Wicke to take Chloe and their pokemon to grab some food, they were all quite hungry for some supper. Meanwhile, Gladion went to speak with Faba about their preparations. The kitchen area at Aether was huge, big enough for all the pokemon to go inside. There were containers and cupboards full of berries and basic ingredients to make pokemon food. But since it was all mostly meant for pokemon, Chloe had to get creative. With Wicke's help, she started fixing up a meal they could all enjoy.

It was a little while later when Gladion returned. "Mmm, something smells good." He sniffed at the tasty aroma wafting through the kitchen, stepping inside to see all their pokemon gathered around eating.

"It's the stew Chloe and I made," Wicke told him, smiling brightly. "It's something both people and pokemon can enjoy. Come on and grab a bowl, Young Master."

He walked past the pokemon, looking at the way they all gobbled up the stew in their bowls. Even Silvally was enjoying the meal. "How did you make this?"

The girl smiled, already pouring him a bowl. "Well, with so many ingredients for pokemon food, I used an assortment of berries to create something for all of us. I had to make sure all the berries would compliment each other's flavor, so Miss Wicke helped with that part. It was a combined effort."

The woman gave a bashful giggle. "Oh, I didn't do that much. This was all made from your ingenuity, Chloe."

With a small thanks, Gladion graciously accepted his bowl. As soon as he stuck a spoonful into his mouth, he froze momentarily. "Whoa, that's delicious." He immediately dug in.

Chloe giggled, handing a bowl to Wicke before finally sitting down with her own. "Thank you. I guess I'm getting used to cooking for you and your pokemon." Her cheery tone turned to a more serious one. "So, what did Faba say?"

Gladion sighed softly. "That the device won't be ready until tomorrow. It needs repairs and a lot of tweaking. Faba said he'll make a way for us to communicate so we can keep in touch even once we pass through the wormhole."

"Well, better to perfect it than suffer the consequences," the redhead stated. "It might be good to rest up before we go. And in the morning, I'll whip up some pancakes for us."

Gladion smiled. "Sounds like a great idea. My sister and I still have old rooms at my mother's mansion. We can sleep there."

Chloe stiffened slightly. "Your m-mother's...?" She gulped, still remembering the first time she'd been brought there. "Isn't there...somewhere else to stay the night?"

Gladion blinked at her, quickly figuring out where her hesitation came from. "I promise it's fine. It's not the same place it was in the past." Her silence and nervous fidgeting made him reach over to rest a hand over hers, a faint blush on his cheeks. "Chloe, if it makes you feel better, you can stay in my room with me."

Chloe smiled at how sweet he could be when he wanted to be. "That would be nice, thanks."

Wicke gave a cheerful hum, overhearing their conversation. "Young Master Gladion, you've really become quite the caring young man. I'm not used to seeing you act this sweet with anyone other than your family." The boy's face flushed from embarrassment. The woman was beaming, oblivious to his discomfort. "It's as if you two had watched a sea of Luvdisc together. I'm so happy for you!"

The pair fell into silence, their faces red. It was true that to anyone who'd known Gladion for a long time, the kind, caring nature deep in his heart was showing more and more. The same could be said for Chloe. She spent so long caring only for pokemon, but now, she and Gladion connected on an emotional level. They'd both had similar hardships in their lives, and they learned to understand one another well. And for Chloe, she had only moved forward because of Gladion.

The blond turned his head away, trying to hide his blush. "Wicke, don't you have work to do?"

The woman abruptly jumped to her feet with a gasp. "Oh, that's right! I need to finish my rounds! So many pokemon that need checking up on! Thank you for the meal, Chloe." She bowed quickly, setting her empty dish aside before rushing out.

The two trainers continued their supper. Once they finished, they cleaned up before returning their pokemon and heading for the mansion. Salazzle and Lycanroc stayed out of their pokeballs, as if wanting to enjoy more time with each other and their trainers. Gladion led the way, taking them to the mansion and guiding them in to see the extravagant interior.

"Chloe, if you'd like to clean up, feel free to," he told her, smiling a little. "I'll show you to the bathroom." He took her up a flight of stairs in the foyer to the biggest bathroom upstairs. He had noticed her uncomfortable fidgeting and lack of enthusiasm, so he hoped letting her relax with a bath might help. "Here we are. I'll wait for you, okay?"

Chloe slowly nodded, managing a smile for him despite not liking the place. "Okay. Thanks, Gladion." She kissed his cheek before going in with her partner following, shutting the door behind her.

The blond stood by the door, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. He looked down at Lycanroc. "Well, at least you seem to be getting along better with Salazzle."

"Lycan... Roc roc." The pokemon blushed, a nervous grin on his face.

Gladion chuckled. "She's grown on you, huh? Just like Chloe has...for me."

He was relieved that his pokemon had learned to get along with hers. Umbreon, Espeon, and Ninetales had become the best of friends, Tyrantrum and Silvally were now friendly rivals, Braviary and Zoroark learned to keep peace between the others, and Lycanroc and Salazzle had gone from flirty teasing to real affection. And of course, Chloe had initially been a simple comrade in the mission to stop Nihilego. But then they became friends, and before long, something more than a friendship blossomed. Looking back on all they'd been through so far, it had been the most exciting adventure he'd had. He hoped they could keep traveling and working together even once the mission was over. He was brought out of his thoughts a little later by the sound of the door.

Chloe hummed, a calm smile on her lips. "I feel a bit more relaxed now." She was in her Eevee pajamas again. "A bath is just what I needed. Right, Salazzle?"

"Salazz lazzle!" her partner cheerfully responded. Her skin was sleek and shiny from being cleaned.

"That's good. I'll get cleaned up as well." The boy pointed down the hall. "My room is the first door to the right. Make yourself at home. Lycanroc will keep you from getting lost."

With that, he went into the bathroom while Chloe followed Lycanroc over to Gladion's room. With white walls, floor, and furniture, it looked much like the rest of the places in Aether. But something about it felt different---more comforting. Perhaps it was the simple fact that the room smelled of Gladion's pokemon. Chloe went over to a desk where a picture frame sat. The photo was of Gladion and his sister as children, along with their mother and a few pokemon. The girl smiled at how adorable they were.

Taking a seat on the bed, Chloe leaned against the headboard while pulling her legs up, resting her arms against her knees. She took a deep breath before looking at the pokemon, listening to them chat.

Salazzle leaned against Lycanroc, licking his cheek affectionately. "Sa...lazz...le..." She seemed to be flirting with him.

Lycanroc seemed to grin, blushing as he suddenly pulled the female into a hug. "Lycanroc! Lycan..."

Chloe giggled softly at them. She turned her gaze down to the pokeball pendant hanging from her multi-layer choker. She thought of Gladion every time she looked at it. She never expected to meet someone like him---someone who understood her so well. Their mission was never meant to turn into a romantic trip, but it did, and Chloe wouldn't change a thing about it. Even once all this was over, she wanted to stay with Gladion. She'd go anywhere with him, even if it meant leaving Alola someday.

"Chloe."

She jumped slightly, startled. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice her boyfriend had come in. Gladion approached the bed where she sat, a bit concerned as he sat beside her.

"You okay? You've been quieter than usual. It's this place, isn't it?"

Chloe nodded, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, but I'm better when you're here." She leaned against him, a playful smirk replacing her smile. "Admit it, you just miss the sound of my voice."

A chuckle erupted from the boy's throat. "Maybe. I guess I do. I've gotten accustomed to your snide remarks and attitude." He draped an arm around her shoulders.

Chloe couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, come on, you know I've gotten a lot nicer lately."

"That's true, and I like to think I have as well."

The girl leaned closer to him, brushing his bangs to the side to gaze into his emerald eyes. "Seems like we've both become better people. Yet another thing we have in common."

She planted a kiss on his cheek before lightly pressing her lips to his. The kiss was soft and sweet, and only lasted for a moment before Gladion pulled back to rest his forehead against hers. He really had become a much kinder and friendlier person. The events from a few months ago had begun to change him. When he helped rescue his mother from an Ultra Beast, he had started to open up more to family and friends. And meeting Chloe, who reminded him so much of himself in the past, was the last thing he needed to truly show his true colors. He might've looked like an uncaring, rebellious boy on the outside, but he was actually very kind, and loved his family and pokemon of all kinds.

"Come on," he told the girl, "we should go to bed. We need to be well-rested if we're going to save Lucario."

Chloe nodded. "Right." She pecked his lips one last time before climbing under the covers with him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Chloe."

Salazzle and Lycanroc crawled onto the foot of the bed, curling up together to sleep. Gladion rolled onto his side, facing away from the girl to give her extra room. He didn't want to crowd her. But to his surprise, he felt her hands suddenly clutching the back of his shirt, followed by her faced buried against his back. He smiled to himself, wondering if being in Aether still worried her. He smiled to himself, and let her snuggle into him. It didn't bother him, in fact, it actually felt nice. With the warm, affectionate feeling he got from her, he closed his eyes and drifted right to sleep.