Gladion sat at the dining table with the rest of his family. The room felt warm and safe after the chaos of the past few days.
Erza had prepared a special meal, all of Gladion's favorites. Grilled Magikarp sat steaming on a large platter, its skin crispy and golden. A tall Moomoo Milk cake stood in the center, layered with fresh cream and berries. There was also a big bowl of spicy vegetable curry, soft steamed rice, and a plate of crispy fried Combusken strips.
A pitcher of chilled Moomoo Milk made berry shake waited beside each plate. The smell filled the whole house.
Gladion looked at the food and smiled. "Thank you, Mom!"
Gwen sat across from him and crossed her arms. She complained, "When do I get my favorite meal made like this?"
Gladion grinned. "When you fight a legendary Pokémon, almost die, and then destroy one of Team Rocket's main bases all by yourself. Then Mom will cook your favorite meal herself."
Gwen rolled her eyes but laughed. "Fine. I'll wait for my Elite Four promotion first."
Milo, Gladion's little brother, jumped up on his chair. "Big brother, you were so cool! We watched you Mega Evolve Collosus! You were like this—" Milo stood tall, clenched his fists, and shouted in his best hero voice, "Let's Mega Evolveee, Collosus!" He spread his arms wide like the Tyranitar growing huge and glowing.
Lila, his twin sister, climbed on her chair too. "It was not as cool as Latios and Latias. They just looked at the building and ripped it out of the ground. Then they threw it away like I throw my ball!"
Erza turned from her seat towards them with a sharp glare. "You two! Sit down right now and mind your manners while we eat!"
Milo and Lila froze. Their eyes went wide. They dropped back into their chairs so fast the table shook. Milo whispered to Lila, "Mom's scarier than Moltres."
Lila nodded quickly. "Way scarier."
Gladion and Gwen looked at each other and tried not to laugh. It felt like a memory from years ago when they were the ones getting scolded for standing on chairs. The twins' excited energy and Erza's strict mom voice brought back the same old family feeling.
Gwen leaned toward Gladion. "Brother, you are going to become the talk of the region soon. Maybe the whole world. Not that you were not already."
Gladion took a bite of the grilled Magikarp. "Well, you will soon take over the position of Elite Four too."
Gwen sat up straighter and looked proud. "As soon as this League season ends, Sabrina will officially become a Gym Leader, and I will become an Elite Four member."
Gladion smiled. He thought quietly, 'That means Blaine will lose his Elite Four status. He will probably go back to being the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader. That will make it easier to keep an eye on him and investigate any connections he might have.'
Erza set down a fresh jug of Moomoo Milk and spoke up. "Your dad will also be posting his research on Mega Evolution and fossil Pokémon in the next League season."
Ben blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "It is not that big a deal. Just some notes I have been working on."
Gladion looked around the table at his family. He felt warm inside. "We all might be very busy in the next League season. Gym duties, Elite Four responsibilities, research, business deals. But I think we should have a meal together at least five days a week."
He looked at Erza. "Mom, would you enforce this rule? Punish anyone who does not comply? You have full discretion to make sure everyone gathers."
Erza smiled wide. "Oh, I will be happy to do so."
She pointed at Ben first. "If your dad gets too busy in his lab and misses dinner, he will sleep on the couch for a week. No pillows. No blanket. Just the hard sofa and his reasearch papers."
Ben laughed nervously. "I will set reminders."
Erza turned to Gwen. "If you skip family dinner because of Elite Four training, you will clean the entire Pokémon yard by hand. No Pokémon help. And no complaining."
Gwen groaned. "Mom!"
Erza looked at the twins. "And if you two do not finish your homework before dinner, no dessert for a week. And no playing with the Pokémon after sunset."
Milo and Lila gasped. "No fair!"
Erza folded her arms. "Fair or not, family time is family time. I will make sure we all sit together."
Gladion chuckled. "With this rule, if Dad gets lost in research and misses dinner, he will get lectured by Mom or sleep on the couch. If I am too busy with business or Gym Leader duties, I still have to attend. Same for Gwen despite her Elite Four responsibilities. No excuses."
The family started eating. The twins could not stay quiet for long. Milo swallowed a big bite of curry and asked, "Big brother, will Latios and Latias be able to Mega Evolve too?"
Gladion shook his head. "Mega Evolution is for Pokémon that have reached their final stage and have a special bond with their trainer. Latios and Latias are already legendary. They do not have a Mega form. They are perfect and powerful as they are."
'Though they do have mega evolution forms though. I doubt that I would ever be able to find mega evolution stones for them.' Gladion thought
Lila tilted her head. "Will we ever be able to have a legendary Pokémon like you?"
Gladion smiled gently. "Legendary Pokémon choose their partners. It is not about being strong enough or lucky enough. It is about trust and heart. If you treat your Pokémon with kindness and respect, maybe one day a legendary will choose you too. But even if they do not, every Pokémon is special in its own way."
Milo's eyes went wide. "Do Latios and Latias love each other like mom and dad?"
Gladion almost choked on his rice. He looked at Gwen, who was trying not to laugh.
Gladion cleared his throat. "They are the Eon duo. The name itself tells you they are always together. They are… well, for lack of a better word… lovers."
Gwen snorted into her milk.
Before anyone could say more, Latios's calm voice echoed in everyone's minds from inside his Poké Ball. "Ah, lovers I like that word. I love you, my dear Latias."
Latias's playful voice answered back. "Gladion, could you release us and make some space for us in your yard? I would like to give your big brother… a good night sleep… if you get what I mean." She added a mental wink-wink sound.
Gladion's face turned bright red. He coughed hard. "Not at the dinner table!"
Milo and Lila looked confused. "What does that mean?"
Erza gave Gladion a sharp look. "Nothing they need to know yet."
Gwen laughed so hard she almost fell off her chair. "Mom, your son is in deep trouble now!"
Gladion covered his face with both hands. "You two are impossible."
The table filled with laughter. For the first time in days, the house felt light and full of life again.
-----Author Notes------
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