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With preparations to challenge the elite four put on hold with the region feeling like it was falling apart yet again, the burnt scarred man found himself exploring the worn out routes that surrounded verdanturf town in search of something to do to get his mind off of the dream of holding a champion title to his name. And why route 117, Maverick couldn’t even tell you. He was so annoyed that he had to put his own goals in life on hold yet again that he didn’t even put much thought into what he could be doing while he wanted.[break][break]

Warm crimson colored orbs flickered over the vast greenery, spotting a silhouette of a man and several pokemon in the distance. Azula, the massive six foot seven hell hound, emitted a low growl that rattled in her chest. Nostrils flared underneath the rapidash skull she worn over her own, scenting out this stranger and the breeze. At first, Maverick had no business in bothering whatever and whoever that was. In fact, he was going to simply ignore them and continue on his fruitless journey of fulfilling his boredom. However, the sphere in his pocket began to shake.[break][break]

Curiously, the man pulled out said sphere. It wiggled in the palm of his hand, bursting open within seconds and a prideful male pyroar materialized. His eyes were on the pride of lions, chest puffed out in male dominance. “Don’t you dare,” Maverick warned darkly, knowing what was about to happen, “Just get back in your ball. I’ll find you a mate elsewhere.” In that moment of broken promises, Satharo darted off towards them. Maverick cursed under his breath, chasing after his fire lion.[break][break]

Satharo had no intentions of harming anyone, only spotting the potential female to grow his own pride. But as he got closer, the male spotted an enemy male with them. He came to a halt, head high and shaking his head back and forth to show off how thick and full his mane was. He stared at the other male, waiting to see if it challenged him for mating right or if he had free game.[break][break]

In the distance, Maverick came running with Azula by his side. He shouted, “Satharo stop!” and “Sorry! He’s mine!”

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]

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Satharo stood his ground, both trying to impress the female’s of the pride while eyeing the male to see if he challenged him. And even as he stood there regally waiting to see their reaction, his human was by his side huffing and puffing from the short burst of exercise he had to do to catch up. A solid thunk on the top of his head made the male pyroar turn to meet the gaze of his human, head lowering slighting when he saw the frustration in his master’s eyes. However, Maverick’s attention was soon turned at the familiar voice.[break][break]

Crimson colored orbs met the gaze of Josh, a man who he had meet before. And to the burnt males surprised, he was riding onto of a saddled furret. You don’t see that everyday. “Oh hey,” the man mumbled back. Hands retuning his pocket, strolling closer to the gym leader and leaving his pyroar to do whatever it was going to do. “It’s good to see you. Yeah… That was a rough day, huh?” The man paused briefly, shoulders rose and fell in a casually shrug before he responded. “Nothing really. Looking for something to do I guess.” A brow rose, curiously. “What are you doing?”[break][break]

By his side, the massive six foot seven hell hound stood tall. Long arrow tipped tail twitched. Nostrils flared, taking in the scents around them. Meanwhile, Sathero returned to whatever he was doing. He took a cautious step forward towards one of the females. Will he get lucky?

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]

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Little did Josh know, Maverick could relate to what he was feeling and the pressure he was under. Go back a few years ago, he himself was a gym leader of Rustboro City. His lovedfor dark types and a battleingknown through the region. His gym always being challenged, leaving little to no time for himself. The League calling him all hours of the day to handle anything from little issues in the city to massive save the world type of missions. It was very exhausting to say the least. And honestly, it was good to see Josh had some time to himself even if for a little bit.[break][break]

“I understand what you’re going though,” the man mumbled, still casual as ever, “Being a gym leader is not for those of the weak. But, I’m sure everything you have done has been worth while.”[break][break]

Suddenly, a squeal of rubber to ground hit his ear drums. Maverick familiar to the sound, but his hell hound was not. She jumped, shifting her weight to face the foe. Her lips lifted, baring her teeth. However, the pair of cyclizar came too hot and straight for their master. It startled the current, knocking Josh off and forcing Josh to recall the creature in order to calm it down. Mav reached out to his own pokemon, a hand rested on her back to calm her down. She did, though still was restless.[break][break]

Once everything has simmered down, crimson colored orb returned back to Josh. His gaze shifted over the two dragon’s, a curious brow rose. “Are those two from the mission?” Maverick couldn’t recall the names of the ones he rod on before. “How many of those do you have?” His gaze lifted back to Josh. Maybe, Josh could trade one to him. But, what could he offer this man in return?[break][break]

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Satharo inched closer, shaking his mane to be sure it was nice and fluffy big. However upon closer inspection, the male lion found himself disappointed. It seems that this pride had no females. The male let out a round of grumbles, head lowered. How will he ever have a pride of his own if he can’t find a female? The pyroar laid down in the grass, pouting by himself.

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]

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Suspended. He was suspended from his own gym. Is that even possible? What on earth did he do to get kicked out of his own gym? Despite the cool and calm exterior the burnt scarred man held on his face, his brain was frazzled. He didn’t even know it was possibly to get suspended from your own gym. In all honestly, he thought you either worked as a gym leader or you get fired from being a gym leader. What this suspension his warning? Arceus the league has changed things. Who knows what would’ve happened to Maverick if he held onto the gym this long? Probably suspended too![break][break]

“Sorry man,” the ex gym leader mumbled, seeing the sorrow in his eyes, “That’s sucks. Look at it this way, you are closer than you were before when you started your suspension.” Maverick wanted to asked what he did, badly. Yet, there was a time and place. And this, wasn’t it. Instead, all their attention turned to the pair of Cyclizar. It seemed that Mav had hit another button, hearing the sorrow in his tone about what happened the last time they ran into each other. Josh, however, was quick to offer up an alternative as one of the Cyclizar began to sniff Maverick. Of course, Azula emitted a low growl at the dragon. He was her human, back off.[break][break]

“Ahhh,” the man replied softly, gaze on the dark haired man before his head titled to one side at his offer, “Oh… Sure.” Guess that means he wouldn’t be able to convince Josh to trade one to him if he was looking for four of them. “We can ride if thats okay with your pokemon.” Maverick didn’t have anything planned for the day, but it seemed that the gym leader really needed this to escape reality. Even if, its for only a little bit.

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]

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The cyclizar seemed eager to let the burnt scarred man hop on the back of him. It even perked up when Mav agreed to ride. It made the man wonder if all of these dragon were like that. And as the creature crouched to let the man hop on, adrenaline began to pulsed through him. Memories from that last time he did this flashed before him. Silently swallowing the lump that began to form in his throat, the man carefully got on the back of the cyclizar. Azula grumbled, shifting her weight. Was she jealous? Sathero noticed the other pyroar get to their feet, so he stood as well.[break][break]

And as soon as the gym leader and the ex gym leader were on their pokemon, Josh made the call. “Oh yeah,” Maverick replied, getting comfortable on the back of the pokemon, “Show me the ropes man. What can these pokemon do?” It was an open inventation for the gym leader to do whatever he wanted. With little to no warning, the Cyclizar sped off with Josh in the lead. Azula the Houndoom and Sathero the Pyroar, hot on their trail. Would they even be able to keep up?

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]

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In a blink of an eye, the pair were off zipping across the land. The Cyclizars showing no hint of struggle or being weighted down by Maverick being on its back. And as they got up to speed, the sensation that he was on the back of his arcanine using extreme speed washed over him. Those in this case, the man couldn’t really feel the creature muscles moving. Instead, he could ear their air sacs expanding. It was different for him, that’s for sure.[break][break]

Dark hair blowing in the wind, the ex gym leader couldn’t hide the wide smile that spread across his lips. There was something about the speed that always got him to smile. He fought the urge to let out a joyous shout, much like when riding on his own land mounts or even his flying ones. Warm crimson colored orbs shifted, spotting the fire types trailing behind him. A scoff escaped him, noting that his own male pyroar was the one who was falling behind. He was out of shape.

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]

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It was true. Satharo was out of shape. To be fair through, it wasn’t all his fault. It was Mavericks, really. The man was bent on reaching the champion title. And unfortunately, that took up more time than he had it would. Maverick owned so many pokemon, and the exhibit can only do so much for his creatures. Yes, they can battle each other and have room to run. Though, a real battle and exercise like this was what the pyroar needed the most.[break][break]

However, nothing seemed to get pass the gym leader as they rode through the plains. He complimented his felines strides, even admiring he owned and plans on breeding a fine line of the species himself for other rangers to have. And as he spoke and the burnt scared man listened, it seemed that his statement about them being faster than most equines was rather intriguing. Although Maverick did own a rapidash himself, he never really thought about Sathero being faster than Shelby. Honestly, the only pokemon he ever rides is his arcanine and salamanece. “Thanks,” he shouted back to Josh over the rushing wind against his face, “He’s just kinda always been that way.”[break][break]

After several minutes of cruising and chit chatting, Josh has another idea in mind and offered it up. “Yeah,” Maverick replied, “I think I can handle it.” His crimson colored orbs turned to his already falling behind pyroar, the male really showing signs he wasn’t use to this much running. It pained him to see it, but tried not to show it. “Can you handle it Sathero?” The pyroar puffed out his chest, giving him a firm nod before falling back into his exhausted strides. Maverick rolled his eyes but looked to Josh, giving him a nod that he was ready.

[attr="class","bottom"]Josh Devlin at route 117 doing bond bridge for april[break]