While it was far from full racing speed, Saber's powerful strides needed to keep up with what was close to Nitro's added pace still got Josh's blood pumping. Noah's form was good as well, leaning into the wind to minimize drag. The Machampion seemed to enjoy himself, too; perhaps he would be back to challenge the new Gym when it opened!

Noah brought up the idea of Raikou remaining a neutral party. If this was simply about the League-Rocket conflicts, it would make sense for Raikou to want to remain a neutral party. In a world-ending scenario like this, Josh was under the notion that Raikou, Entei, and Suicune were among the divine Pokémon most eager to seek human allies. Perhaps he had been under a misconception? Either way, it was not Josh's choice to make. "...You really are trying to be a killjoy, aren't you?" he asked with a joking smile, eventually breaking out into laughter as the duo rounded a corner, the Gym office's back entrance in sight again. "A man can dream, can't he?"

Noah had every right to be worried. After all, as much of a blessing as it was to be chosen by a god, it came with danger well beyond what mere mortals could cause. There was a reason the Great One, Ho-oh, along with her thee children, the sacred Beasts Josh had admired since childhood, could repel entire armies of trainers and ordinary Pokémon. "You're right, too. My pursuit will put me in a lot of danger. And while my intentions are not fully pure, what human could be expected to have completely pure intent? Even legendary Pokémon are still Pokémon! They have to have fun every now and then!" Josh expected that the real reason so many of them were gathering in Hoenn and choosing brave trainers to ally with was something big was coming. And Meteno wasn't the end of it.

"And that, Noah, is the biggest tenet of what the new Mauville Gym is built around: learning and appreciating how much we truly depend on them, and trusting them to be dependable. A simple battle cannot do that. You truly understand. How long have you been a Gym Leader for?" It had to have been a long time. Despite his young age, Noah had the wisdom of an old man.

With that, the two would arrive back at the starting line and eventually at the back entrance. Josh slid off his Manectric's back and gave the electric-type a gentle pat on his snout. "That helped me understand things a lot better. Hearing another Gym Leader's perspective on the topic helpd me a lot. Don't get me wrong, I still want it to happen. But I understand now that there's only so much I can do. It's not nothing, but... it's just such a tough road. And it's not one I can turn away from yet." He shook his head, beginning to ramble for too long. "Thank you, Noah. I hope you find yourself a Kommo-o and challenge my new Gym in Mauville with it. I think it would be a good race!"