URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: Josh Devlin (josh.devlin@hoennleague.gov)
TO: Hoenn Commissioner (commissioner@hoennleague.gov)
CC: Hoenn Elite Trainers (5 recipients); AQUA Initiative (4 recipients); Hoenn Council Members (3 recipients); Hoenn Ranger Authorities (7 recipients); Hoenn Science Authorities (2 recipients); Hoenn Gym Leaders (9 recipients); Hoenn Minor League (3 recipients)
SUBJ: (URGENT) (CONFIDENTIAL) Raikou

In early March of 2024, Top Champion kyle lopez deemed me worthy of the title Champion and commuted the remainder of my sentence for the February 2023 Eris Halla incident. In a shocking turn of events, his Patron, Ho-oh, has bestowed upon me the blessing of a Rainbow Feather. This Rainbow Feather, when used to draw the Sign below, serves as the vessel for a Johtonian Raikou. I wanted to clarify that it is different from the Hoennian Raikou I came into possession of that I reported on previously. I have also attached a photo of them both standing side-by-side for your reference.

kyle lopez has confirmed that It is the same Johtonian Raikou that he was formerly in possession of; from what I comprehend, Ho-oh has passed part of Kyle's blessing on to me. As far as I am aware, neither Ho-oh nor Raikou has made me an Avatar, nor can I speculate whether one of them will make me an Avatar in the future.

I have done some preliminary testing within Kyle's battle chamber, and have found the Raikou to be very weak; it is as though it is a shadow of the Raikou of legend. As of yet, it is far from war-ready, unable to hold its own against even the Pokémon I battled the Top Champion with. I will be doing further research into this Raikou, and would request the aid of the Science division, particularly Eva Morales , at their earliest convenience. My observation of its capabilities so far are as follows:

1) Raikou is currently unable to Terastallize or use Z-Moves. I have not yet tested a Dynamax Band with it.
2) Raikou cannot be taught new moves like other Pokémon. All methods of teaching it new moves have failed. Currently, it can only use Spark proficiently.
3) Raikou does not exude an aura of Pressure like many legendary Pokémon do.
4) Raikou's speed seems to be unaffected; as far as I am aware, it is still the fastest land Pokémon on the planet.

Before Raikou can be weaponized against Rocket, it must be researched. We must learn why Raikou is so weak and get it ready for battle. Gym Leaders, if you are able to help Raikou improve in battle, a meeting in a secluded, private location would be greatly appreciated. It is very important that the knowledge of Raikou be kept a close secret until we can deploy it against Rocket in a way that will maximize the damage it will deal. We cannot squander this opportunity. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to send me a follow-up email. If you want to meet me in person to talk about the Raikou, I will make room on my schedule to talk about it.

I know this email is getting a little long, but thank you for addressing my concerns. I hope that Raikou will one day be able to serve the League in full capacity, much like Alexei Ivanov 's Tornadus and Hideo Kino 's Uxie do. Until then, thank you for your continued support. It means a lot to me.

This communication is HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL and shall not be disseminated outside official League channels. Any unauthorized dissemination of this communication or its contents shall be punished to the maximum extent of the law.

attachment: raikou_sign.png
attachment: johtonian_and_hoennian_raikou.png

recipients

The following characters have ICly received this email:

dahlia goode FERNANDO SILPH  freya morningstar  PENELOPE LIVY Eva Morales illeana reyes  kyle lopez MATIAS SILPH  Navy  Greyson Connors Melody Miro Alexei Ivanov noah faber CIAN MAHER Hideo Kino  Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki Gwyar Wledig ollie morales  Laurence Anderson Isaac Merlo Remiel Calcifet John Sullivan  Izumi Yamamura annalise henderson LANCE VOLLANS  Guillermo Marceliño Elinor Anderson Shalin Nariya  DESIREE BLOOMS Andrea Vaneau Elise Calcifet

OPENING THE DOOR TO THE HEART

CRUSH CLAW met POWER WHIP, Jiujiu and Aleph both squealing as they sparred near the foothills of Sector 4 as the sun dipped below the horizon. Several of Josh's Gym Trainers, despite having clocked out, were still at the Gym, watching the Ultra Beast and Ultra Beast killer spar. With only his Gym employees there, the Leader took a risk. He clicked open a Cherish Ball on his belt. "Come on out, Raikou!" Not the Johtonian Raikou bound by the Rainbow Feather he wore as a pin - the "Hoennian Raikou" he befriended deep within Area Zero.

A THUNDERCLAP interrupted their battle, the Terastal Energy around Area Zero not present. The Champion had immediately lost control, the incredibly fast Raging Bolt zipping back and forth like a jouster not even Raikiri could catch. A spark lit up in Aleph's mind, standing alongside Jiujiu instead of against him.

The long-necked Beast charged again, but Aleph and Jiujiu were ready this time. The Xurkitree hurled one of its wires toward a steep grade, latching onto it like a climber would a cliff face. With a metallic twang and an alien noise that could only be interpreted as agony, Jiujiu tripped Raikou, Aleph quick to pounce on him and raking near his legs with CRUSH CLAW to slow him down. All three stopped their quarrel, Josh whistling for Mastema to heal Raikou's wounds with LIFE DEW.

"Raikou, all these Pokémon here are my friends, okay? See the saddles on their backs? That's how you can know my friends. No, our friends." With a bone-shaking purr, the Raging Bolt closed his eyes for a moment. The Champion turned his attention to his Type: Null. "Aleph, I'm so proud of you for stepping in like that and working with Jiujiu instead of against him. We've come a long way, and we've got a long way to go. But this is a really big step. Thank you." The normal-type did not respond to Josh's praise, but the subtle shift in the legendary Pokémon's demeanor did not go unnoticed.

Aleph reaches LOYALTY LEVEL 1. Aleph can now engage in any form of combat without the need for a ROLL.