The competitive emotions spreading from Blinky's cry benefited the riderless Pokémon far more than Julia's and Josh's mounts; if anything, it hindered them. The Jolteon and even the daring Sylveon cleanly cut the corner, Blinky taking a particularly aggressive line.

Josh and Julia weren't so lucky. Both of them nearly cleared the jump, though their mounts' rear paws and talons just barely nicked the inside wall. The two Pokémon were incredibly difficult to control mid-recovery, making a heroic effort to keep their riders from falling off as they stumbled the width of the course. By the time Chester could recover, Blinky was right behind her. Perhaps they were able to hear the Jolteon's rapid, crackling footfalls.

While distant, the goal line was in sight! The last major hindrance to crossing the finish line was a trio of jumps. What made these difficult was the sloped terrain at the bottom, having to land at just the right angle to avoid awkward landings and even faceplanting into the inside or outside wall! The racers had become familiar with how to perform the landings after two laps, but how would they handle it when their Pokémon were growing tired?

Target Number: 100 (Endurance)

Josh could feel Clyde's heartbeat peaking, both in rate and in amplitude. The Flareon's strides were getting rough, too; he could tell that his mount's paws were sore frou all the rough landings. Pinky seemed fine, but Josh's extra weight was something Clyde was not yet fully used to carrying. It showed in their performance, too. While Clyde still had energy for one more big push, the Leader was saving that for the home stretch, where it would be most effective.

"Just a little more, Clyde!" Josh cheered his mount on. "I'll make sure you get a nice spicy Poké Puff after this!" With a bark from the red quadruped and a flick of the reins, the two sailed across the large gap. He could feel his stomach rising and falling as the Flareon alternated leaping and charging uphill.

By the time Josh, his Flareon, and his Sylveon landed from the final jump, Julia, her Dodrio, and the Leader's Jolteon were out of sight. The flightless bird's three sets of lungs were certainly being put to the test, having to keep up with one of the fastest Pokémon on land! The electric-type had taken some serious risks to keep the race competitive, and it remained so, to the delight of the gallery! They rose to their feet, roaring loudly as the Dodrio and Jolteon touched down on the home stretch within a split second of one another.

By the time Josh, Clyde, and Pinky landed, the Pokémon ahead looked like they were going to cross the finish line. Both Pokémon ahead of him looked spent and on their last legs. The Jolteon in particular looked ready to collapse at any moment. It was typical of Pokémon to sit or lie down after a hard race such as this one, but Blinky's competitive self, along with how much Julia's Dodrio was fighting back, pushed her to her limits and possibly even a little beyond. The electric-type certainly wouldn't be running any more challenges today!

The home stretch was all that remained, an official standing near the starting arch and waving the checkered flag. There was little risk of an accident on this straight sprint to the finish! Now was the best opportunity for the four Pokémon to give it everything they had!

Target Number: 0 (Speed)

Blinky's super speed was allowing her to close the gap fast, but they were rapidly running out of real estate! It all came down to Pokémon and racer fundamentals. Long, powerful strides mattered. Posture to minimize drag mattered. With the end of the race being so close, even the smallest mistake could determine the outcome. Chester and Blinky crossed the finish line together, even Josh unable to tell which one had won. Clyde and Pinky both finished strong, securing third and fourth place. Even Inky was there, Gym staff having withdrawn him when he crashed out and giving him a good view of the race's end.

With Gym staff unable to unanimously agree on who won the race, it was a photo finish. Josh, the Gallery, and presumably Julia watched the replay on the main scoreboard, the end of the race being played back frame by frame. Watching the recording in slow motion made it clear that Julia and Chester had crossed the finish line first. The time interval?

Nine hundredths of a second.

Watching the review and seeing the outcome of the race called the way it was gave Josh great joy, not as a Gym Leader, but as a friend of Julia. Blinky was in a heap not far from the finish line; she truly gave that race everything she had. Julia and Chester had simply outmaneuvered the Jolteon just well enough to cross the finish line first. "I saw most of that from behind," Josh said, giving Julia a firm pat on the shoulder as he withdrew his team, stumbling a little from his legs being a little more gelatin-feeling than normal after a race. "Congratulations on your victory, Julia. You and your Dodrio being able to hold off one of the fastest Pokémon at my Gym has more than demonstrated your ability to make split-second decisions, your complete trust in your Pokémon, and your ability to keep your cool under tense situations. All of these will see you far in the Pokémon League, and as a Ranger. Don't think I haven't forgotten we're both still Rangers!"

With that, the Mauville Leader reached into his pocket, scooping a small, metallic object into his closed fist. "Julia, there is not a trainer here that can argue you haven't earned this." He opened the closed fist in front of the young challenger, his Gym Badge in its center. "The official Hoenn League Quick Badge. You and your Dodrio shall be enshrined in the Gym's list of Qualified Riders as champions, and as Multi Jump record holders. While the Badge is eternal, records are meant to be broken."

After the ceremony's conclusion, Josh led Julia back to the Gym's lobby to give her assistance with filing League paperwork needed to make the Badge officially registered in their central computer system. This was something he had to do himself; Shelly was on break, and Andrew had called out. "Just need signatures here and here," he pointed. "By the way, when's our next Ranger mission together? It's been a while."