The large, glass doors of the terrarium lock tightly behind Gladion as he reenters the blinding, white, halls of his childhood home. His shiny, polished shoes send a click clacking echo through the sun soaked wings of the manor.

He stops in front of a large set of wooden doors. The intricately carved mahogany and warm, brass door knobs seem severely out of place among all the white.

His eyes wander the deeply carved wood, the doors seem so much smaller than they used to be. This new perspective cuts his heart like a sharp knife. Has it really been that many years since this room was used? Blinking away tears, he takes a deep, ragged breath as he cracks open the doors.

The smell of cigar smoke still clings in the plush green carpet and long burgundy drapes, even after all these years. Gladion collapses on a nearby lounger, overwhelmed with emotion. He places his cold hand on his hot forehead.

His watery green eyes stare blankly at the dark, paneled walls, as he tries to control his composure. This room has changed so much, yet so little since he was a boy.

He sits up on the lounger and removes his socks and shoes. Closing his eyes, he buries his bare toes deep into the threads of the thick carpet. The familiar feel of the carpet between his toes is strangely soothing. For once, he feels like he's at home.

Dust floats in the air as Gladion wipes the thick layer of debris from the glass display case, exposing his father's large collection of relics and artifacts.

His father was very interested in history and archeology. Gladion fondly recalls falling asleep to his father's tales of lore and faraway lands. Cleaning his father's old study is bitter sweet for Gladion. The small spark of hope that his father is still out there extinguishes itself as Gladion slowly opens himself up to grief.

His hands begin to tremble as he wipes a small picture frame clean. Sitting down in his father's favorite chair, he hovers over it. Tear drops sprinkle the glass, through blurry eyes, Gladion mourns the loss of his family.

Remembering the good times pushes him over the edge, it's been so long since he has had the loving touch of his mother. It's almost as if she died along with his father when he disappeared. Gladion has always tried to think of her as dead, a shell of the compassionate, loving person she once was.

Wiping his eyes with the edge of his pressed, white shirt, Gladion sets the frame on top of the fireplace mantel. He carefully removes all the other decorations, leaving nothing but the picture, centered over the large fireplace. He turns quickly as he hears the heavy, brass door knobs turning behind him.

"Brother?" Lillie peeps from the hallway.

"Come in."

Lillie's large eyes swell with tears as she looks around her father's abandoned study.

Gladion wraps his arms around his sister tightly.

"This room is no longer off limits," he whispers to her softly.

She releases herself from his grasp and wanders the room for a few moments.

"It's just like I remember it. Will you be using it?"

"Yes, I think I will, but you are welcome here anytime."

"Have you told Moon yet?"

"No, please don't tell her."

"Gladion, she needs to know!"

"I will tell her, just please, give me some time with her before I break the news. I'm still processing it myself. The board is giving me some time to prepare myself before I fully take over."

"But-"

"Lillie, just give me a few days with her. She needs a break just as much as we do. Telling her about my new position as president would only spoil our date tomorrow."

"Date?" Lillie peeps, her eyebrows perk up and a tight-lipped grin lights her face.

"Date," Gladion repeats, his voice full of happiness and peace.

"Gladion..." Lillie says, her voice is suddenly somber.

"What?"

"Look over there," she says, pointing at their father's dusty desk.

Gladion picks up the long forgotten Pokeball, it's finish is dull from so many years of sun exposure. The two of them exchange nervous looks, not knowing what they will find inside.

Lillie cringes as Gladion drops the ball on the floor. Through the shimmering red light, the outline of a Pokemon can be seen. Gladion crouches over the still body of a Porygon Z, it's blank yellow eyes stares back at him.

"Is it dead?" Lillie cries.

"No, there should be a screwdriver in the top drawer of Dad's desk. I think I can get it running again."

__________________________________

"Yeah, all of them!" Hau says, he seems to be as shocked as I am.

"Guzma too?"

"Yup, Gramps is going to have his hands full."

"Well, I guess this is a good thing then," I say, trying to be optimistic.

"It is, I'm just kinda blown away."

"Me too. Maybe some guidance would be good for them."

"Let's hope. Otherwise old Hala's in trouble!" Hau chuckles nervously.

We both fall silent as an eerie humming sound reverberates from the hallway.

Hau and I stare anxiously at the doorway of Gladion's room, Pokeballs ready.

Suddenly, a ghost-like, white creature zips into the room. It's devilish yellow eyes glow brightly as it charges towards us.

Hau lets out a high-pitched scream as he tumbles off the bed, tripping over his feet as he attempts to flee.

Hysterical laughter comes from the doorway as Gladion and Lillie show themselves.

"Too soon?" Gladion gasps, smirking smugly at Hau.

Taking a closer look at the creature, it's obviously a sheet with eye holes cut in it. I roll my eyes as I rip the cover off, revealing the Porygon Z underneath.

Hau's eyes narrow as he gives Gladion the death glare.

"Not funny," he huffs.

"Your scream was priceless!" Gladion chuckles, paging the synthetic Pokemon back into its capsule.

"Asshole!" Hau mutters as he shoves his way past Gladion.

"Come on...that was funny," he groans, noticing my unenthused glare. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, giving me an exaggerated frown and puppy eyes.

"Idiot..." I mutter, loosely hugging him back.

Gladion stands over his dressing table as he removes his cufflinks, my eyes are burning holes in his back.

"So, where were you all day?" I mutter.

"Just some more Aether bull shit. I wanted to get it out of the way so we could spend the day alone tomorrow," he says, trying really hard not to smile.

"Oh?" I ask, feeling intrigued.

"Yah, you know...like a date maybe?" he peeps, turning his back to me.

He shudders as I slip my hands around his waist from behind. Standing on my tippy toes, I quickly kiss the side of his neck. He looks at me from the corner of his eye, no longer able to hold back his smile.

"I'll take that as a yes then?" he asks, quietly.

"Of course!" I squeak, trying to hold back the stupid amount of happiness I'm feeling.

Gladion laughs under his breath as he pulls a fresh set of pajamas out of his dresser.

"I need to get out of this get up!" he groans, pulling at his tight collar before heading to the bathroom.

I can hear the churning of water coming from the bathroom as I wait patiently for him to join me. I start having sinful thoughts as the smell of soap and fine perfume drift from the small space under the door.

I lay back on the bed, imagining what his naked body might look like. My cheeks get hot as I sort out the details.

Closing my eyes tight, images of his smooth, milky skin fill my brain. The hotness is redirected south as I mentally remove his underwear. My heart skips a beat when the bathroom door opens.

Gladion shoots me a curious look when he sees my reaction.

"Everything okay?" he asks, smirking a bit.

"Everything's fine!" I exclaim defensively, cringing at the sound of my own voice.

"Actually, you seem pretty tense. Good thing I ran you a bath! I think you need to relax a little," he snickers.

The light of the candles flicker against the walls as I mindlessly play with the thick layer of bubbles, floating on the surface of the steamy hot water. The smell of the burning wicks and exotic perfume ease the tension in my head. This is just what I needed.

I sink down to my neck in the deep tub, wetting the tips of my hair. The water feels so wonderful that I sink the rest of my head under, letting my face disappear under the surface. After enjoying the tranquility of being under water as long as my lungs will let me, I go back to the surface.

The bitter taste of soap fills my mouth as a bit of bubbles find their way in. I giggle at my reflection in the large mirror hung over the tub, a large pile of foamy soap fizzles on the top of my head.

Emerging refreshed, I drain the tub, wrapping myself in the oversized luxury towel. Feeling a bit on the promiscuous side, I decide to go back to Gladion's room in nothing but the towel. My excitement is squashed when I spot him on the bed, fast asleep.

His mouth is hanging open and he is snoring through his nose. I return to the bathroom to change, feeling rather disappointed.

Maybe, tomorrow.