The PSYSHOCK bounced off Entei as though nothing had struck it. Not unexpected, as the Johto Beast was legendary for a reason. As much as they were known for their intense speed, their fighting prowess and toughness, especially Entei's toughness, were something even strong ordinary Pokémon had absolutely no hope to match. The Beast's very Aura dissolved the PSYSHOCK effortlessly, leaving a cloud that made it difficult for Josh to see.

By the time the smoke had cleared, Pinky was a mess on the floor, having suffered no additional wounds from the Gastrodon's attack. That wasn't much consolation, as she was already in terrible shape from Entei's grand entrance. Entei's primal bellow was all the downed Josh needed to hear. He had to make his stand now. He wasn't winning the battle, but he had to convince himself that he could at least follow the Beast's movement. Without showing that much, there was not a ghost of a chance Raikou would be interested in him. He mustered the strength to at least sit up. "Saber, now! HYPERSONIC PLAS--"

Josh could not muster the strength to hold the Z-Pose normally needed for the fastest and strongest attack his team possessed. It was only through the unparalleled sync and understanding the two had with one another that the Manectric's Z-Power manifested itself in a blistering fast electric tackle that was the source of a sonic boom rocking the studio's arena.



After ramming Entei with the seemingly physics-defying electrified tackle, the blue SACRED FIRE engulfed Saber at close range. He sounded a howl, then a squeak of excruciating pain. It was a cry that was synonymous with death, and one that Josh felt to his very bones. The blue flames likewise penetrated the safety systems as though they weren't there, showering the already bleeding trainer with embers that made him scream as though his blood was boiling from the inside out.

And yet, once the attack ceased and the battle had ended, the pain from the SACRED FIRE was gone. If anything, it was, in a way, a healing flame. He was still bleeding, but the pain from the Great One's signature attack had drawn out the pain the rock-type shrapnel had caused earlier in the battle. He at least managed to get to a sitting position again, the back of his shirt soaking red. "Please..." he moaned. "And..." he weakly pointed at Entei. "That's... why I wanted... to talk to you." It still felt like the failure of the safety system had caused him to come within an inch of his life, but it was clear that despite the flaring and stabbing pain the SACRED FIRE caused, he was in better shape than he would have been with the cuts and scrapes alone.

Kyle was showing just the kind of Champion he was: inhumanly strong in more ways than one, being the master of the Beast of Fire, Entei, and putting said powers on display. Yet simultaneously, he was merciful and understanding; the Beast's ability to overcome the Battle Arcade's safety systems was something that Josh simply did not foresee. It wasn't that he wasn't trying to dodge; he felt no need to attempt to dodge due to the very existence of measures intended to keep trainers safe in well-regulated League battles such as this one.

Smeargle's LUNAR DANCE was like a miracle; all of Josh's pain, fatigue, and suffering was transferred to the versatile normal-type. Kyle himself got to work patching up Josh's cuts so they wouldn't easily reopen. "I just wasn't expecting Entei to overwhelm League standard Gym safety was all. I knew they were strong, but being in his presence for the first time was so...overwhelming."

For his first time on the Hoenn Gym circuit, he had suffered a decisive defeat. Yet it wasn't bitter. He had got to see not the Beast of his dreams, but one of his brothers. This, in and of itself, was well worth the price of admission. "Yes, I did want to discuss something with you," he continued, recounting his tale of Cyberchase Hell that gave him a real reason to chase the Johto legendary.

"I've spoken to several others about my desire to do this. To meet, befriend, and ride Raikou as part of keeping Hoenn safe. Not just from Rocket, but from anyone who threatens her. This has never been about picking a side. This has always been about making sure the conflict claims no more innocent lives. I'm sure he and the Great One would understand." Getting Raikou on the side of the League, of course, would be wonderful, as he firmly believed that the League was going about resolving the conflict in the most peaceful way possible.

"I've had conversations with MATIAS SILPH , Melody Miro , and even Thomas Benoit about how to pursue Raikou." The conversation he had with the Volatile in particular was most valuable. He went on to explain visions he had received almost immediately prior to or after particularly traumatic moments during his stay in Hoenn, and that they were allegedly from the electric-type Beast. "Ultimately, all roads led to you. And now I see why. As the one who fights alongside Entei, there is not a better person in the world for it." He went on to explain how long he had been pursuing Raikou for, and that how it was once selfish but had turned selfless. Josh's motivators had become increasingly selfless the longer he fought in Hoenn's war. Unbeknownst to him, that fealty would only grow stronger in the future...