"Of course," Josh replied, giving a thumbs-up with his good side. "It's why I haven't quit the Rangers, either. Hoenn's higher-ups, Gym Leaders included, can come off as being aloof. But I want to be... I want to be the people's Gym Leader. One that focuses not necessarily just on keeping the League as a whole running, but on making a positive impact on the lives of the region's law-abiding citizens. And even those who can be convinced to reform. Look at how much ollie morales 's amnesty program has grown." He was more than making challenger quotas; if he ever started to feel burnout, he could always reduce his Gym's hours of operation and take more Ranger tickets.

In that way, working two part-time jobs was better than one full-time job.

"I can't thank you enough for Raikiri, either," Josh nodded, his eyes beginning to water. "I know he's not Raikou. But to me, he truly is Raikou at home. That's why I named him what I did. He's... he's my treasure. At this point, I'm more well-known for him than my Manectric, which isn't what I... wanted to happen. They're both... different kinds of precious to me. Different kinds of iconic. Besides, what's twenty or thirty extra miles an hour? Raikiri's plenty fast."

The rainbow feather was a sign of a pact. Not just a pact between the Emergent and his Patron, but between Top Champion and candidate for Champion. "May the Great One deliver the Beast of Thunder, and his tireless servants, from evil," the Gym Leader prayed as Kyle stood up. Exhausted from the philosophical discussion, he set the plush on his side table and tried to fall asleep.