(Gladion POV)

It's dark... and it's cold... where am I?

My eyes fluttered open and closed a few times, trying to make out my surroundings as I came to. It was a cave, lit with all kinds of blues that travelled up the walls. It was beautiful, but otherworldly... in a scary way. I suddenly knew where I was.

"U-Ultra Space?!" I gasped, taking a few back "W-Wha- Why am I here?! How did I get here?!"

A familiar cry was heard from somewhere in the cave, causing me to back away further. The cries seemed to be getting closer.

"W-Who's there?" I called out, slowly reaching down for Lycanroc's Pokeball "Whoever- or whatever you are, come out of hiding immediately!"

The cries stopped for a moment which caused me to falter, wondering if whatever it was fled...

It didn't.

I felt a something squishy attempt to coil itself around my torso, but I immediately slapped it away and ran to the other side of the cave. I turned around to stare at the thing in the eye, only to let out a shaky gasp. My hands began shaking from fear and anger.

"You..."

Nihilego was floating a few feet away, clearly looking directly at me as it frilled about in irritation. One of its tentacles shook around as if it was hurt, presumably that's what attempted to grab me.

"What do you want?" I spat, trying to control my shaking as I once again reached for my Pokémon.

Only... they weren't there.

My eyes widened as I felt around for my team, only to curse under my breath. I could only hope I could take the Beast on alone.

Nihilego began floating towards me, its tentacles ready to grab me.

"Stay back!" I yelled, rolling out the way as a tentacle made a swipe at me. I knew what it wanted, it wanted to take me; like one of them took my mother. I couldn't let that happen.

And yet... The idea felt so alluring...

The longer I dodged- the longer I resisted, the more I became drawn to the beast. Like, I wanted to stay with it forever. There was something I couldn't describe, some sort of aura.

A calling.

I stared at Nihilego reached for me again, only this time I was too slow to react. Its tentacles tightened around my frame despite my thrashing about, and pulled me towards itself. My eyes widened as I felt it pushing me into its head, like it did with mother. And as soon as it did... I stopped fighting. I was a part of the beast now.

And worst part was... I liked it.

I shot up with a gasp, cold sweat rolling down my forehead as I made out my surroundings. I was in my room, in my bed, next to Megan who still slept soundly.

"Gladion?"

Or not.

I turned my head to Megan, who's eyes had fluttered open to stare at me in concern. She sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes before giving me a worried look "Are you okay?"

I bit my lip, eyes travelling down to my lap as I placed a hand on my forehead "I... I'm fine, it was just another nightmare..."

"Was it about the Ultra Beasts again?"

I nodded.

Megan sighed, scooting closer to me and pulling me into a hug "They're only dreams, Gladion. They aren't real."

"But what if they are?" I asked shakily as I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face into her shoulder "I've been having these dreams for a week now, and each time I do... the less I resist Nihilego's callings. What if... What if it's a sign, that I may become corrupted like my mother was..."

"You won't."

My grip tightened "How do you know?"

"Because I know you," She ran a hand through my hair "And I know you're stronger than to let some otherworldly jellyfish fuse itself with you."

I scoffed, making her sigh. She pulled away slightly to look at me, though I didn't make eye contact.

"Look if you're worried, why don't you talk to your mother about it?" She suggested, resting her hands on my shoulders "She may have have some idea of what you're going through- not that your situations are similar or anything."

"Megan, I was just pushed into a beast's head. Dream or no, I think there's a bit of similarity there."

"Okay fine, but that gives you more of a reason to talk to her, right?" She asked, giving me a hopeful look. I sighed, before pulling her into another hug.

"Alright... But I'll do it tomorrow, okay?" I whispered.

"That's better than never, so sure." She replied, though it was muffled as her head was buried into my chest, and wrapped her arms around my back "Now try and get some rest."

My grip on her tightened.

"I promise I'm not going to leave you," She assured, pulling us both down and pulling the covers over us "You don't have to cling onto me like a baby."

Despite her saying that I didn't let go. I didn't want to let go. Her being there was the only thing keeping me sane right now. The dream stayed in the back of my mind. Everything I felt, I was still feeling. Fear. Desperate. Powerless. Happiness... That's the one that scared me the most.

Megan sighed, realising I wasn't letting go, and leaned down to place a kiss on my forehead "Alright, goodnight ya big edgie baby... Try not to think about those nasty monsters okay?"

"Ha ha, you think you're funny." I muttered.

She giggled, and I felt her body relax against mine "I love you..."

I smiled slightly, nuzzling my face into her hair "I love you, too..."

Not as much as I love Nihile-- NO! I will not let the beasts get to me.

---

"Mom?" I called as I knocked on mother's door. As I said to Megan last night I was going to tell her about my nightmares in hopes she could help me get rid of them, or at the very least know why I'm getting them.

The door opened, and mother stood in front of me with a slightly surprised experience. Obviously she didn't expect me of all people to visit her.

"Oh, Gladion," she blinked, a smile slowly making its way to her face "It's so nice to see you. Can I help you with anything?"

I pursed my lips together, my squinted eyes glancing off to the side as I let out a deep breath "Can I talk to you about something? I feel like you would understand more than anyone else."

"Oh!" She seemed delighted. If only she knew what I wanted to talk to her about "Of course you can, Gladion! You can tell me anything!"

I winced. Damn it Megan "Then... may I come in?"

"Of course," she stepped aside, allowing me to step into her room "Make yourself at home.

I walked in, sitting on her bed which signalled her to do the same. She stared at me expectedly, waiting for me to start talking. This caused me to squirm uncomfortably in my spot. I let out a deep breath, ready to explain everything.

"So... I've been having these dreams..."

---

(Megan POV)

"And every time he wakes up from them he holds onto me for the rest of the night without letting go." I explained with a sigh, taking another sip of my Tapu Cocoa "Like, I know he's worried. And I know I do similar things when I've had nightmares. But... I feel like he's not telling me everything. The look in his eyes is... different."

"Damn," Laura smirked "Who knew your boyfriend could be such a puss-- OW! Ashley!"

I glanced over at Ashley, who was giving everyone that innocent look. Perhaps she kicked her Laura or something.

"But anyway," I continued "I told him to tell Lusamine about it, so maybe she could help him."

"What's telling her gonna do?" Rose asked, pausing brushing her Luxray's mane to give me a confused look.

"Mother spent a lot of time with the Ultra Beasts," Lillie answered, but her eyes remained fixed on the table "If anyone can help my brother, it's her."

"Lillie?" Ashley sent her a worried look "You okay?"

"I'm fine..." the girl sighed.

"You sure?" Laura asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah it's just... the Ultra Beasts have done so much to my family already, and now Gladion's having nightmares because of them... I'm worried about him."

I gave her a small smile "Lils, I'm sure he's fine. I mean come on, he's Gladion. Since when has he let anything bring him down?"

"Since you got yourself kidnapped?"

"I-" I paused, lips parting slightly "Okay that was a pretty good example... but, that was real life. These are nightmares, and they probably don't mean anything."

"Yeah, probably-- OW! Ashley I swear to God!" Laura hissed, slamming her hands on the table.

Ashley smiled innocently "Oops."

"As I was saying," I glared at my sister and sister in-law "Once he talks about it to someone that understands the Ultra Beasts, I'm sure he'll be back to being himself again."

"His edgy self again." Rose muttered under her breath, snickering with Luxray. I sent them a look that made them shut up.

"I hope you're right." Lillie sighed.

"Hey since when have I been wrong?"

"Kidnapping." Everyone answered.

I groaned, head falling onto the table "I'm never gonna live that down, am I?"

Rose giggled "Nope."

---

I lay on my stomach on the bed, so completely engrossed in my book that I didn't realize the person that just walked in. That's until I felt something lay on top of me, wrapping their arms around my stomach and nestling their face between my neck and shoulder. I already knew who it was, so I placed my book down on the bed and reached up to play with his hair.

"Did talking to your mom help?" I whispered, and felt him nod against my neck.

"She gave me some tips on dealing with nightmares..."

I smiled, kissing the side of his head "Well hopefully they'll work."

"Yeah..."

After cuddling for a couple more minutes the two of us decided to get ready for bed. Once I stepped out of the bathroom I noticed Gladion was already tucked in bed, and was staring at me patiently to do the same.

"You're... not going to use me as a human teddy again, are you?" I asked suspiciously.

He smirked "Come on you like me cuddling you."

I blushed madly, turning my head to the side "N-No I- Shut up!"

I stomped towards the bed, diving under the covers and lying down so my back faced Gladion. I still felt him wrap his arms around me and rest his chin on top of my head.

"You are such a tsundere, you know that right?"

"You are such a tsundere, you know that right?" I mimicked, crossing my arms

He chuckled and gave me a gentle squeeze "Goodnight."

"Night." I yawned "Love you."

"...Love you too."

So I'm not imagining it... I thought He's definitely distant.