Truthfully, the offer of sweets had barely been necessary to get Hideo's aid. He'd been so exhausted trying to find his way out of the Ultra Deep Sea that the moment he found someone he knew wasn't a Rocket (and wasn't in the same situation he was in), he all but jumped at the chance.

He barely minded that he was more-or-less conscripted into helping the League out. It was nice being able to breathe in non-cave air, even for a bit. As long as he knew the way back out, he could even go back in there.

He was even able to have Uxie out - even if currently disguised via an Illusion. Surely, people wouldn't question a Ralts teleporting stuff around, right?

"So, uh…what do you want us to move around?" he asked. Though he had some time to rest, there was still some exhaustion leaking through his voice.

Melody Miro

Hideo and his "Ralts" nodded as Melody explained just what cargo they were moving around. "Makes sense," he said, "We only have so much space to store what we found in that Mechanical Kingdom. Though I can only wonder what they'd find in the middle of a sea cave. Big shiny rocks, maybe?"

Whatever case, there was little doubt Uxie could lift them with its powers. It lifted a hand up, nodding as it did its best to give a thumbs-up with a fingerless hand.

But no sooner was the request accepted, did a group of Rockets attack them. Hideo didn't even have time to react before getting shoved to the ground by Melody - but he was just as quickly lifted back up by Uxie.

"Ah shit," Hideo muttered, searching for a Pokeball to use. He didn't have much time to lose; while he didn't doubt Uxie could handle this alongside Melody's Pokemon, one hit was all it would take to dispel its Illusion, and he did not want Uxie outed in front of a bunch of Rockets.

He settled for his Dragapult, letting the large dragon out just as the Ninjask was hurtling towards his "Ralts". Before Hideo could give the order, Uxie had already taken notice to the Ninjask's thoughts, stopping it in its flight with some Mystical Power.

From there, it only took a couple of Dragon Darts to knock out the struggling Ninjask.

But that was far from the only Pokemon they had to deal with here.

Melody Miro

Hideo cringed slightly, hearing one of the grunts mention his odd Ralts. He answered with the first thing that came to mind: "Well, it's the top percentage of Ralts!" He immediately regretted bringing more attention to his Pokemon, but too late to take that back.

He could hear Melody let out a bunch of her Pokemon, going on the offensive. As her Blastoise kept him and Uxie safe, Hideo let out a few more Pokemon of his own, letting his Meowscarada and white Zoroark join the fray. It was easy enough for the two Pokemon to sneak their attacks around their protector, the Meowscarad's Flower Trick dropping on several of their attackers' Pokemon while the Zoroark's Shadow Sneak attacked them from below. Even his Infiltrator of a Dragapult joined in, an Infestation trapping some of the attacking Rockets where they stood.

The "Ralts", meanwhile, assumed its normal spot on top of Hideo's shoulders, floating itself up there.

"What are Rocket even here for? I know they like to cause trouble, but they're usually looking for something or trying to get control of an area, right?"

Melody Miro

"I mean like in general! Why is Rocket at these Wilds?!" They couldn't have come here just to steal supplies, not with this much Pokepower at their disposal or with this many people.

There was little choice but to go along with Melody's plan, Hideo's Pokemon already focused on keeping their trainer safe. Several more Flower Tricks were tossed at the Rockets' Pokemon, Swift stars following shortly after. Dreepy were fired out as Dragon Darts, striking any of the Rocket Pokemon that tried to get closer.

But one managed to weather the attacks - a Lairon, making its way towards Hideo. Without a sound, his "Ralts" leapt off his shoulders, intent on intercepting the incoming Pokemon. Before Hideo could try to get one of his other Pokemon to help, the "Ralts" met with the Lairon, its fingerless fist glowing as it struck its foe right in the chin, the Drain Punch sending the steel-type into the air and onto its back, knocked out with a single strike.

The Lairon's trainer called foul, questioning how a Ralts had that kind of move - and that kind of attack power.

Hideo's took a moment to comprehend what just happened - before offering a shrug, complemented with a grin.

Melody Miro

Arguments about the legitimacy of the Ralts' strength were thrown about, but Hideo wouldn't give them any answer.

Hideo could feel a telepathic ping from Uxie, the disguised pixie requesting Hideo get out his Tera Orb - the reason being easy to guess. Though Hideo had some doubt if it was necessary or even a good idea, Uxie insisted on it.

With little other choice to please Uxie, Hideo took the orb out of his bag. Energy flower from the orb over to the "Ralts", a winged-heart-like hat appearing on its head. Though the hat was sized for Uxie, a Ralts' size meant it fit the illusion without any obvious discrepancy.

With that, the "Ralts" glowed bright pink, energy building up in it until it was unleashed as a powerful Dazzling Gleam, striking at all of the Rockets' Pokemon. Hopefully, they'd take that as a sign to cut their losses and leave - before they decided to gang up on the Pokemon Hideo really didn't want getting hit.

Melody Miro

"Jeez, these must be some really important supplies if they'll send this many people!"

Uxie had managed to knock out a decent number of them, but there were more Pokemon coming - and that Terastalization drew attention to Hideo's team. Several attacks were flying their way, and Hideo scooped up his "Ralts", desperate to keep its true form a secret. His Dragapult flew in the way of the attacks, keeping Hideo and Uxie safe.

The Dragapult hit the ground with a *thud*, knocked out by the assault. Hideo recalled her into her Pokeball, taking out a different Pokeball and letting out the Aggron within. The Mega Bracelet around Hideo's wrist glowed bright, the Aggron glowing as well as it Mega Evolved, now larger (and spikier) than before.

A resounding Flash Cannon fired from the Mega Aggron's mouth, one-hit-KO'ing one of the Rocket's fresh Pokemon.

Melody Miro

Hearing that Melody was about to go full Bullet Hell on Rocket was enough to get Hideo to get behind her, his Aggron herding his Pokemon back as well. His "Ralts" wiggled out of his grasp, perching itself on top of Hideo's head to get a proper view of the action.

Its attention was especially peaked by Cobalion's participation, almost floating off Hideo's head to get a closer look - only to get held down by the boy. His Aggron ensured none of them would get hurt by the debris that flew around.

The silence that followed was enough to convince Hideo they'd won. "To be fair, not like we could've expected that big a response from Rocket," Hideo said, recalling his Zoroark and Meowscarada, leaving his Aggron out for safety in case there were even more Rockets lying about. "And you would've been too tired for the second wave."

It waa best to ration your strength carefully; that was why he hadn't used all his Pokemon at the same time.

Or let Uxie go all-out.

"'sides, it was a pretty spectacular finish!" Not one he could fully witness, but it sounded like an impressive end. "Even got to listen to you sing again~"

Melody Miro