Josh knew the move Extreme Speed quite well. He owned one of almost every single common ride Pokémon that could learn it. The one exception was Linoone, and Linoone were too small for a rider that had as big of a frame as he did. He regularly rode during Extreme Speed, which gave him the visual acuity needed to follow the blindingly fast move in battle.

That wasn't making it any easier for Saber to dodge the fighting-type's backhand, though; the electric-type screeched loudly from being stabbed near his sensitive underside. His instincts took over, loosing a retaliatory, point-blank DISCHARGE without so much as a command. While THUNDER WAVE was the most effective way to slow down a speedster like Lucario, it wasn't the only one! And if anyone on the Gym circuit understood the concept of speed control, it was Josh!

Saber took advantage of Knuckles' recoil by backing away, running along the edges of Isaac's half of the battle court. The plan was to use his momentum to flick a sphere of electricity at the fighting-type faster than even the master of Aura could follow. The Lucario put a monkey wrench in that plan as, even paralyzed, the lingering effects of EXTREME SPEED allowed her to outrun Saber.

Josh was cornered. He only had one desperation move left in him. The CLOSE COMBAT gambit posed an unexpected risk to it. While it was powerful, the flurry of blows would leave its user open to speedy attacks. If struck in the right place, not even Knuckles' steel typing would save her. If not, Saber would be out of the battle, overwhelmed by punches that sounded like a drumroll with how rapid they were.

He made his stand here.

"Saber, QUICK ATTACK!" Kicking up grass and dirt around him, the Manectric fearlessly zipped toward Knuckles in an effort to topple her between punches.

Holding his breath, Josh watched Saber and Knuckles go at it. Knuckles had control of the grapple, but Saber had the momentum advantage. The white line on the edge of the grass field was coming up as the two continued to tumble. It was a miracle the Manectric was still in the battle, but it wouldn't last long. They were going out of bounds. It was just a matter of which would go out of bounds first.

It seemed the QUICK ATTACK had disrupted Knuckles enough to end the flurry of blows early. "DISCHARGE, Saber! Now!" the Gym Leader shouted. This point-blank blow was one Josh was certain the Lucario would be unable to avoid. The point of the DISCHARGE was not to knock the Lucario out. It was to break free of the grapple long enough to slow himself and make sure Isaac's Pokémon went out first.

Grass caught on fire as the grounded electric blast congealed around the beleaguered Pokémon. Its brilliance made it difficult to see which of the two touched the white line first. After the light faded to the point where they were visible, both side judges held up a red flag indicating a ring-out for Saber. Pulling his right-side pants leg up, Josh reached into the space between his sock and his ankle, pulling out a small red flag of his own and gently tossing it to his side of the battle court. The ruling on the field was Saber slid out of bounds first. The head judge stepped onto the battle court and turned his microphone on.

"The previous exchange is under review."

The footage had been rewound and slowed down several times as the judges analyzed the close battle in their own booth. While it wasn't at the same point the judges were looking at, the Leader, challenger, and gallery got a good look at the exchange. "Either way, this was a hell of a battle, Isaac," he called out across the now-still battleground. "I'm not disappointed at all. This is the kind of battle I've always wanted to have with you. After looking at the replay, though, you've probably--" A roar from the gallery interrupted their conversation as the head judge walked onto the battle court, turning his microphone on.

"After reviewing the exchange, the ruling on the field stands. Manectric has been forced out of bounds. The victor is challenger Isaac Merlo ."

At last, the trainers' platforms began to retract, fireworks going off above the battle court to celebrate the challenger's victory. Josh knew there was no more to say, other than what his job required him to. Approaching his frienemy -- no, friend -- at the center of the court, he solemnly nodded. He presented a closed fist at Isaac's chest level, then opened it up to reveal a well-earned QUICK BADGE. "Isaac, you've earned this. It is the official Hoenn League Quick Badge. Wear it with pride. This Gym has a history of being run by some of the toughest and most successful Leaders in Hoenn. Never forget that."

Once the crowd began to disperse, the Leader casually asked, "When are we gonna go riding again? A victory lap around some place near here sounds fun, doesn't it? Not today, of course, but in the near future!"