CONNIVING CONUNDRUM

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“…”

fernando says nothing at the mention of SAPPHIRE. the concept itself is revolting. a bastardization of AQUA, which he has accepted begrudgingly.

“then go ahead and return to your position before that,” the councilman says dismissively. “i will handle approval from the league.”

“but devlin, do find some control over your emotions. watching you have an actual break down in my office over a pokemon that doesn’t exist reflect rather poorly on you, and the fieldwork your represent.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Josh Devlin

The words that came from the Silph's mouth were simultaneously relieving and confusing. Wasn't the commutation of his sentence strictly through PENELOPE LIVY 's oversight? "...That you're willing to stick your neck out for me despite the horrible thing I did shows what kind of person you are. I never heard directly from Accountability, but are you confident you can do that? Also, if you do get approval, could you please do me a big favor and forward it to my League email?"

Josh's emotional lability came up yet again. The electric Gym Leader was prone to emotional flare-ups, and ultimately, it was one of those that got him in the position he was in. "Callan mentioned that when I went to his office to interview for the Champion Assessment. It has taken me a long time to understand exactly what he meant, but... this chat with you has helped me understand who I am as a person a lot. By setting my sights too high, I lost sight of what I had already done."

A solemn nod accompanied the epiphany of his true calling. "I took my Gym for granted. And let's say hypothetically, I could only have one of my Gym or Raikou. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I'd pick my Gym. I love what I do there, and not being able to do what I loved for months was agonizing. Mauville needs a strong Gym Leader. Not the Leader I was when I was first promoted from the Minor League, not the Leader I was after Meteno, and certainly not the Leader I have been recently. No. They need someone who strives for, but understands they will never actually achieve, perfection. Someone who understands the road to improvement is neverending. Even for Champions, that road never ends."

While Josh had not fully left his past self behind, he was on the precipice of it. "Thank you. You've been a big help. No further questions."

CONNIVING CONUNDRUM

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“TCH.”

fernando distaste is evident at the mention of accountability. this time, it has less to do with PENELOPE LIVY and more to do with hoenn’s history. those who keep up with the league’s revolving door can probably parse the essence of his repugnance.

“dahlia goode is the commissioner and i am her right hand. our ideologies may differ but our decisions often do not. there is a reason we are the longest serving members of this administration.”

he scoffs.

“however, this now falls under my jurisdiction. handle your emotions and come to me if you have issues.”

his glare is pointed.

“do not let me hear about you stepping outside your bounds to go hunt children again. your duties start and stop within the outline of your responsibilities. even if that means inaction in the moment.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Josh Devlin

Fernando was right; he was practically Hoenn's Vice Commissioner with how much influence he had politically. Josh's frown turned upside down when the Councilman implied he had the sole authority to commute the Mauville Leader's sentence. "Thank you for giving me this chance. I will not squander it. Once I see the decision in writing, I will resume my duties as Mauville's Gym Leader as soon as is feasible."

Though the Silph's frankness may not have been funny in his eyes, Josh couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the man's remark about hunting children. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. That's a mistake you don't make twice." Every word out of the suit's mouth was wise beyond belief. "The situation at hand sometimes demands doing nothing is better than doing something..." Those were words that would have served him well at the Battle of Dewford. They were words that would serve him well the next time he was on a critical League operation. "Again, thank you. I hope the next time I see you, it is on better terms. You've helped a lot." With that, Josh and Raikiri headed out the door, the Pokémon rider a new man.