Had Hideo been accompanied by one of his Telepathic Pokemon, the surprise would’ve instantly been ruined.

But he’d chosen his Ariados to lead him to the meeting point, the large spider Pokemon leading him with a web wrapped around his hand. She was his go-to for any cave-dwelling adventures, so when Melody invited him to one, it immediately knew who to bring.

Though Hideo had to wonder why she’d invited him here in the first place; she didn’t give an exact reason beyond “it’s a surprise”. If he hadn’t known Melody any better, he would’ve been a lot more suspicious about someone inviting him alone to a cave.

When he heard Melody call out to him, Hideo waved to her, his Ariados guiding him towards her. “Hey, Melody!” he shouted back, following along until his Ariados stopped him in front of her. “So what’s up? What’s the big surprise you got?”

His Ariados’s attention was squarely on the Diancie, her head tilted slightly as she observed the mythical Pokemon. Since when did Melody have a Diancie?

Melody Miro

“Oooh, congrats!” Hideo did a little clap; it was good to hear Melody got to be part of AQUA.

It’d been a while since he heard anything about AQUA. He was pretty sure John Sullivan had been recruited into them, and Doug had been pretty busy lately, so maybe they’d been up to a lot lately? With how crazy everything was right now, it wouldn’t be too surprising.

Though he certainly didn’t miss the implication of her saying AQUA was still scouting people out, and she’d invited him here…

He felt something grab his hand. It was smooth and warm, but also kind of…rocky? And it sounded pretty happy to meet him.

And then Melody told him its name: Diancie.

Hideo’s mouth opened slightly, realizing he was shaking hands with a mythical Pokemon. He slipped his other hand out of the web leash his Ariados had made, holding the Diancie’s hand in both of his. “O-oh wow!” he exclaimed, his cheeks reddening slightly, “It’s nice to meet you, Diancie!” It was always a joy to meet a new Pokemon, but this one was one-of-a-kind!

That also wasn’t out for his blood, if the friendly handshaking meant anything.

And now for the real reason he was invited here: to help battle Diancie. Hideo was nodding long before he spoke his answer: “Heck yeah I’ll help battle Diancie!” he exclaimed, reaching into his pocket and taking out a Pokeball, letting out the Meowstic within. “Miles here should be a good match.”

The Meowstic took in his surroundings, before his eyes settled on the Diancie holding his trainer’s hand. He just stared at what was to be his opponent, a stoic look tinted with horror on his face.

Hopefully Melody would give him a good partner to work with.

Melody Miro

The Meowstic could only watch in mild horror as the Ariadoa escorted Hideo a decent distance away from the Diancie. His trainer was really going to make him fight a mythical, wasn't he?

At the very least, he'd be given one mercy in that Melody also let out a Pokemon - a Leavanny. Whose first move was to throw a bright ball to the roof of the cave. He had the foresight to look away from it before it fully shone its light - and Hideo was spared the brightness - but a squeal from the Ariados showed she hadn't known the bright light was coming - and had stared right into it.

At the very least, the Diancie hadn't attacked them yet. It was just...polishing itself.

He heard his trainer eagerly shout an order: "Get in there, Miles!"

The uneager Meowstic sighed, but followed the order, rushing in fast towards the Diancie. He went right in for a Sucker Punch...but the attack was a feint, to distract the Diancie.

He was really going in for a Fake Out.

Melody Miro

Hideo could hear his Meowstic's attack hit the Diancie, earning a cheer from the boy. "Nice one, Miles!" he shouted, raising a fist to the sky.

The Mewostic was a bit shocked that his attack landed. The moment he saw Diancie preparing a counterattack, he braced himself, only for the attack to fail by a conveniently-timed Astonish.

Though by the time he unbraced himself, Diancie had rocketed off. He just watched with an uncomfortable look as he realized his opponent was now very fast. Even that String Shot the Leavanny fired would only do so much.

The odds did not look to be in his favor.

And still, his trainer wanted to keep the fight up. "Bring'em back, Miles!"

With a sigh, the Meowstic channeled his Psychic energy towards Diancie, intending to grab it and pull it back towards them - and the ground.

Melody Miro

And then the gemstones came flying out.

Well, he doubted Diancie would run forever. Miles braced himself, taking a few stones to the body. As expected, it hurt, and it did push him back a bit. But it wouldn't be enough to take him out.

"Hang in there, Miles!" his trainer shouted - an unnecessary encouragement that he wouldn't reject.

He could see his partner, the Leavanny charging in. No doubt whatever attack she had planned would hit hard - if it hit. It wouldn't amount to much if Diancie could outrun her.

So he maintained his previous attack, using his Psychic to keep the Diancie from running off. Or at least slowing it down long enough for the Leavanny to get her hit in.

Melody Miro

Their combination attack got the hit in, earning a cheer from Hideo, and a cautious smile from the Meowstic. If they kept this up, they might actually have a shot at winning this - so Miles thought.

But that thought hit a snag when Melody disapproved of their tactics. The Meowstic’s look of dismay was much stronger than Hideo’s concerned look. “Alright, you got that Miles?” Hideo shouted, oblivious to his Pokemon’s distress. “Get in there! Keep up the pressure!”

The Meowstic could only let out a yelp as he saw Diancie’s attention focused solely on him, a beam of light from its Power Gem going straight for him. He just narrowly ducked out of it in time, a good portion of his hair unfortunately not sharing the same luck.

Against his better judgment, the Meowstic ran towards Diancie as fast as he could - exactly how he’d attacked in his opening Fake Out.

The twist to this attack? It was an actual Sucker Punch this time, going straight for Diancie.

Melody Miro

From where Hideo stood, it sounded like his Meowstic got another hit in. He was doing pretty well against a mythical Pokemon - better than he would've expected. "Keep up the good work, Miles!" he shouted, unaware of his Pokemon's distress.

But before the battle could continue, there was a new arrival: a person, if the fact that Hideo understood them meant anything. Apparently, they were running low on time? And someone whose name Hideo vaguely remembered wanted them to finish things up? "Oh, I didn't know we had a time limit," Hideo said, shrugging.

The mention of mega evolution got his attention, and he didn't miss Melody mentioning mega evolution: both of her own Pokemon, and Diancie's. "Diancie can mega evolve?"

His Meowstic could definitely confirm it - and the look on the poor Pokemon's face was sheer terror. He backed away - and practically lit up when he heard Hideo say, "Come back, Miles! This might be more than you can handle!"

The Meowstic couldn't have ran back faster, practically jumping to Hideo as he returned to his Pokeball.

Hideo wouldn't leave Melody to fight it alone, of course: he let out a different Pokemon, his Hatterene - and quickly retrieved a couple accesories from his bag. He donned his Mega Bracelet first, the Hatterenite on his Pokemon's neck shining bright as her body glowed bright.

When the light disippated, the Hatterene had grown taller, the head-hand on her "hat" replaced with a trio of long, pointed tentacles.

As the Blastoise and Diancie clashed attacks, the Mega Hatterene prepared one of her own: Hideo's Z-ring was the next to glow, Hideo striking a (pointless) pose as light shot forth to the Hatterene.

The room suddenly grew quiet - no sounds of battle or clashing or speaking could be heard. A large claw made of pure psychic energy formed at the top of the cave, flying towards the Diancie once it was fully formed. Sound wouldn't return until the claw was about to reach Diancie, no doubt a disorienting, confusing experience.

This was the Hatterene's Z-move: Witching Hour.

Melody Miro