Josh smiled when he was asked about his next race. Was Theo going to be a fan? While fans couldn't be truly monetized until he actually turned pro (after all, who would buy minor league merch?) they were still a huge source of encouragement for him. If people liked what he was doing, that alone was enough of a drive to keep him interested in this path to being a professional racer. Making connections who could get him access to incredibly fast Pokémon didn't hurt, either...as long as they were legal connections. The last thing he wanted was to get fined.

"Sadly, not until September," Josh answered Theo. "There was supposed to be a huge aquatic one at Slateport Beach, where the maximum field of 30 was expected to participate. I had a slot, but the race had to be canceled due to a scheduling conflict with the venue. I'll get to take Bladestorm for a flying race around the Meteor Falls area, though!" He felt a rolling motion from the inside of the Poké Ball containing the Skarmory. "I know you're excited! We'll definitely practice for it!"

A crackling sound grabbed Josh's attention as a playful Elekid circled a large support pillar for the underground venue. Seeing young electric-types at play gave him joy, bringing him back to when the Pokémon he was astride was the most rambunctious Electrike in the world. He wouldn't have it any other way. "Anyway, it's a flying race and it should be a lot of fun. There's a huge dive along the main waterfall there, and you get to go really fast! It might be my favorite course in all of Hoenn for that reason."

THEO BECKETT

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Resheph       Dragonair      Good
Twilight      Absol          Good
Aslan         Pyroar         Good
Saber         Manectric      Good
Bladestorm    Skarmory       Good
Crash         Boltund        Fair


{WC: 285}
{PC: 6}

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THEO BECKETT CAUGHT THE AGGRON!

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"As a matter of fact, it will be televised!" Josh answered excitedly. "It will be on PSPN2. September 18, with the flag being dropped at noon." He was no stranger to being on local television, but this was the first time in quite a while he would be on national television for a race. "Most of their coverage is of Platinum Class races, but they do televise Gold Class races during breaks in the schedule. Usually only about three a year, though. Gold Class is like the Minor League Gyms; you ever heard of them?"

A metallic gleam caught Josh's eyes; there was a Forretress rotating its four bio-cannons uncomfortably close to him. "I'm feeling quite a bit better now. Let's move on and see if we can find more electric Pokémon!" the racer proposed. He withdrew Saber and released his male Pyroar, Aslan, who was content to let his trainer mount up and walk alongside Theo.

THEO BECKETT

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Resheph       Dragonair      Good
Twilight      Absol          Good
Aslan         Pyroar         Good
Saber         Manectric      Good
Bladestorm    Skarmory       Good
Crash         Boltund        Fair

{WC: 149}
{PC: 7}

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THEO BECKETT CAUGHT THE PACHIRISU!

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"Glad to hear!" Josh smiled when Theo mentioned he was familiar with the Minor League. "I actually just applied for a Minor League Gym not too long ago. Since I have so much experience in other regions, I got to place out of a lot of their tests. Just waiting to hear back from Director kyle lopez --"

His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of strong metal-to-metal contact; the twin halves of a Doublade were clashing with one another a short distance from them. Josh had his Pokémon give them a wide berth before continuing his conversation with Theo. "As I was saying, I'm just waiting to hear back from him before I drop the green flag. It'll have very limited hours during the racing season, though." Aslan let out a snort at Josh's double meaning, familiar with both of the types of challenges his trainer put him through. "As for the Gym Challenge itself...it really depends on whether this Gym application goes through and how much volume I get. If I get a lot of volume I'll probably have to give it up."

THEO BECKETT

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Resheph       Dragonair      Good
Twilight      Absol          Good
Aslan         Pyroar         Good
Saber         Manectric      Good
Bladestorm    Skarmory       Good
Crash         Boltund        Fair

{WC: 187}
{PC: 8}

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THEO BECKETT CAUGHT THE ESCAVALIER!

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Josh did a double take when he heard Theo mention the Director's other titles. "Wow, the Champion too? He must never get a vacation. And a high-ranking Interpol position too? The racing season keeps me busy during the summer months. And I'm--" The ear-piercing trumpet of a wild Copperajah, which Aslan immediately started to distance himself and Josh from, interrupted their conversation.

"Whatever that Pokémon is, it's loud!" Josh was only familiar with a handful of Galarian Pokémon, and Copperajah wasn't one he was overly familiar with. While he had a large knowledge database of most Pokémon, his familiarity with Galar's Pokémon species was spotty at best. "As I was saying, because of how hectic the racing season gets, I might only be taking challengers one or two days a week. Unlike with Major League Gyms, there is a much less stringent availability requirement. We'll see how many challengers I get, though." Aslan's gaze shifted side to side after the loud noise, keeping a close eye out for the steel-type or any other large Pokémon nearby. "I don't see why the application wouldn't go through. I felt like I aced all the tests I actually did have to take..."

THEO BECKETT

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Resheph       Dragonair      Good
Twilight      Absol          Good
Aslan         Pyroar         Good
Saber         Manectric      Good
Bladestorm    Skarmory       Good
Crash         Boltund        Fair

{WC: 204}
{PC: 9}

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THEO BECKETT CAUGHT THE STUNFISK!

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Josh smiled when he heard Theo might challenge his Gym once it gets approved. "You know where Trainer Hill is, north of here?" he asked. "That's where my permit will be once all this paperwork goes through. Hope you're ready for a contest of speed, because you would be able to battle me or race me for your Badge!" Of course his Gym would be a giant race course; what passionate Gym Leader wouldn't want to share their hobbies with their challengers?

Aslan's eyes shifted to focus on a Magnezone that passed in front of the two, one layer of support pillars down. It seemed to be minding its own business, floating about the underground facility. These locations were where Magnemite and related Pokémon were most commonly found, though it was unusual to see their fully-evolved forms in the wild. "Oh, and you have to be able to ride your Pokémon to race me!"

THEO BECKETT

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Resheph       Dragonair      Good
Twilight      Absol          Good
Aslan         Pyroar         Good
Saber         Manectric      Good
Bladestorm    Skarmory       Good
Crash         Boltund        Fair

{WC: 156}
{PC: 10}