Two.

"I worked very hard to cook this, so be sure to eat it all, okay?"

Gladion and Lillie, both dressed in the gold and white outfits that Lusamine had picked out for them, kept their eyes fixed on the table, not daring to meet the gaze of the woman they called Mother. Lusamine seemed unruffled by this, though, and placed her children's plates down before them. On one was a small mound of greens, a bread roll, and meat with a savory sauce. On the other was a small amount of rice...and a smaller serving of steamed vegetables.

Lusamine did not believe in equal portions.

Gladion mulled over his thoughts while nibbling at the malasada that Hau had forced him to take. The stuffed, fried bread was quite delicious, not that Gladion would ever admit it. He was touched by Hau's ever-constant thoughtfulness and surplus of malasadas to share (not that he would ever admit that either). He was vaguely aware of Silvally stretched out beside him on its back, belly bulging slightly from the number of malasadas it had devoured. The Pokemon was purring contentedly, soothed by the warmth and merry crackle of the fire that it was resting beside.

The halls of the Aether Mansion were always cold at night. He knew firsthand, from all the nights he had slipped out of his room to bring Lillie the food that he'd steal whenever he got the chance. All was quiet tonight, but he couldn't help but feel uneasy. It felt like the air was thicker than normal.

Regardless, though, he crept on, silent. He hadn't had a chance to steal anything during the day, so he'd have to make a stop at the kitchen before going to Lillie's room.

Nothing was amiss in the kitchen, and Gladion relaxed a little. All he had to do was get to the fridge, he was sure that there would be some fruit in there that Lusamine wouldn't miss. Carefully, he opened the the door and stuck his head inside. It took him only a few moments to locate a big bunch of grapes, resting on a plastic wrapped plate. He broke off a few small clusters, arranging the rest of the fruit to cover the empty spaces left behind.

Gladion shut the fridge door as quietly as he could, and turned to leave, grapes in hand. Now, he only had to deliver them to Lillie, and sneak back to bed. Simple enough.

Alas, it was not to be. Peridot green eyes gleamed from the hazy shadows in the doorway.

"Mother."

Gladion couldn't bring himself to finish his malasada. The sick memories going through his head were ruining his appetite. He offered what was left of it to Silvally, who happily gulped it down in one bite, then yawned and scooted closer to the fire. The Pokemon's sleepy state was infectious, and, despite his dark thoughts, Gladion felt his eyelids growing heavy. Giving up the fight, Gladion stretched out on the plush carpet, mimicking his Pokemon, and fell into slumber.

But happy dreams did not find him.

"Disgusting!"

Pain.

"Worthless!"

Pain.

"Ungrateful!"

Pain.

"UGLY!"

P a i n...

Gladion woke again, a guttural sound, like a cross between a groan and a scream, tearing out of his throat. Silvally was awake immediately, despite the deep sleep it had just been in. It nosed the side of his face, whimpering. Gladion reached up to stroke its head, but ended up with his fingers tangled in the Pokemon's white fur and his face buried in its shoulder, chest heaving with the weight of demons that were far too heavy a burden for his scarred back.

Silvally leaned its head against his, hugging him as best as it could, but it wasn't enough. There wasn't another human soul within a twelve mile radius, though, so they would have to make do with what they had, as always.

It took a long time for it to happen, but Gladion eventually drifted off again.

He dreamed of a world with no more pain.

Gladion, why are you so edgy

*gross sobbing*

Anyway, see you all next time!

Coming soon: the third time Gladion was Sadion (I'm sorry)