Josh's office building was small and only three floors. Real estate in Mauville was expensive, and most of the Gym's budget went to constructing the sprawling Racing Grounds just outside city limits, featuring two dozen intertwined courses that made the possibilities for Gym Challenges limitless. The waiting room was a love letter to the Johto deity Raikou, a fantasy of his childhood and an eternal reminder of how aiming for the stars nearly caused his life to irreversibly spiral downward.

"He's just returning from lunch," the receptionist on duty, the young and handsome ANDREW WEISS, answered. Dressed in a storm purple top similar in color to the electric Beast's thundercloud, he gestured toward the back door leading to the Gym proper. "Have a seat, I'll let him know you're--" The ding of an elevator, followed by its receding doors was all the fanfare the scheduler needed to be aware of the Gym Leader's presence. "This young lady wants to see you, but I couldn't find you in our system. Did you make an appointment with us?" he asked her.

"No need," Josh asked as he heard scratching noises from the large sliding doors leading outside. Blinky and Clyde, a saddle-wearing, quite large Jolteon and Flareon, were clawing at the Gym Leader to try to get his attention. He walked up to the door and smiled toward them. "Be there as soon as I can, okay?" With that, he turned his attention to Delilah. "You're speaking to Gym Leader Devlin, but you can call me Josh. How can I help you?"

Awkward. It seemed the young woman wasn't interested in a tour or a challenge. Wait, a Silph? That made things even more awkward. It sure didn't take long for celebrity gossip to spread in Hoenn, it seemed. Was she here to talk about the beef he had with Matias? He sure hoped not. Putting on his best customer service face, the Gym Leader nodded and answered, "You're fortunate that challenger volume is light today. I'm sure my trainers in the back can handle it." With that, he gestured toward the building's elevators. "Follow me."

After a pair of dings, the doors opened to a small hallway that led to the Gym Leader's rather large third-floor office, overlooking Mauville Racing Grounds. The south-facing windows gave the best view of the facility. ACE SHEEKE was at the main battle court, the redhead administering a challenge with several of Josh's most vicious dragons, including a Hydreigon. How could such a violent Pokémon be broken to the bridle? It was something that only a few skilled trainers could do, and the Mauville Leader was among their ranks.

The office was large enough for several more of Josh's prized, saddled Eeveelutions to be out and about; it was evident that the office was sized to hold a mainframe computer at one point. Janus would mentally greet Delilah with positive vibes, a blank stare between the Espeon's halters. Kamuy was curled up in the corner, the Umbreon asleep after winning a hard-fought racing challenge earlier than morning. Pinky, Josh's Sylveon, stood next to the full-sized desk the Gym Leader took a seat behind. "These three are Janus, Kamuy, and Pinky," he introduced the Eeveelutions big enough to carry a single person, all three still geared for the occasion. That the Umbreon was geared and asleep was a testament to how well they were trained; it was as though the equipment was an extension of their bodies.

Memorabilia of the legendary Pokémon Raikou was scattered everywhere: figurines, plush, and the like were neatly arranged throughout. Though the most valuable part of the collection on display was a single copy of every officially-produced Raikou trading card printed in the past two decades, his most precious was a 12-inch Raikou plush that sat on the corner of his desk, its condition indicative that it had been loved and cuddled with for quite some time. "Great to sit down and chat with you, Ms. Silph. If you would prefer Delilah, I can call you that. How can I help you?"

Josh's expressiveness was part of what made him human, and relatable among Gym Leaders. Several of Hoenn's Leaders hid their true feelings under the guise of professionalism. FERNANDO SILPH came to mind, as did noah faber and Michael Navidson . Others, such as Alexei Ivanov , were arguably more expressive than he was. Janus appreciated the affection, attempting to fill Delilah's mind with good vibes as she ran her hand through his silky fur. "Alright, Deliliah," he started, letting out a sigh as Mitra's CALM MIND left Josh as relaxed as one about to fall asleep from being on anetheseia.

That CALM MIND would prove to be vital, as what she wanted to discuss was quite serious. "You mean MATIAS SILPH . Arceus, how have executives at Macro Cosmos not been arrested for that damn phone game?" And this was him under CALM MIND. He would have been positively furious were it not for the precaution the guest took. "Guess the Beast's out of the bag, after all. Strap on and hold on tight, cause this is a really long story. You see, Matias and I used to be really good friends last year. Before I divulge too much, I need to ask you. Do you have high-level League credentials? Matias is aware of the circumstances of our little... kerfuffle, but not everything is public knowledge."

Whatever credentials Delilah showed were sufficient for Josh to be willing to share the privileged information with her. "Alright. Like I said, strap in, cause it's a long story." He grabbed the Raikou plush on the corner of his desk and cuddled with it for a few seconds to try to calm down. It, combined with Mitra's efforts, succeeded.

"So this goes all the way back to... August of last year. He's the first person I told that I was seeking Avatarship with Raikou. Now because of that stupid phone game, everyone in Hoenn knows about it. And don't get me wrong. I still am. Might be a little hard, considering no one's seen Raikou since the Kanto invasion almost six years ago. At the time, we shared the viewpoint, or at least what I think is his viewpoint, that everyone in Rocket, no matter how low down the totem pole, is equally culpable and irreparably corrupt."

Josh's breathing grew deep, a tear crawling down his right cheek. "Then... fast forward to February. Last December, I found out what we think happened to Raikou in the war. Given how much time has passed since he's last been seen, it was only natural to assume Rocket was responsible. With your League credentials, I'm sure you know about the Eris Halla incident involving me." The tears grew more numerous as the emotional Gym Leader recounted his story. "I... I very nearly killed her. And that was when I realized what Matias had done through all this time." By now, he was borderline hyperventilating. Janus looked sad hearing his trainer's story despite the affection Delilah was giving him, though he appreciated it all the same.

"He used my passion for Raikou to me into a monster."

Josh's relatively short time in public office, combined with his empathetic nature, made him appear like an incompetent leade at times. He was a being of emotion, his goal to spread happiness and positivity, even if it was at his own expense. He listened to Delilah's account of Matias' stressors, opening his mouth at the mention of the breakup with Eva. While he was aware that the two were having troubles, he did not know that the two had broken up completely. "So many Avatarships feel toxic to their Avatars, almost like the relationship is one way..." Josh sighed, Janus trotting toward the Master of Faster and resting his head against him. The Espeon, too, was trying to bring Josh comfort amidst the serious talks.

"It still is," Josh sniffed, tilting his head to make eye contact with Delilah. "Even now, Raikou means so much to me. I'm just not letting him control me anymore. I know it sounds childish, but it keeps me going, inspiring me to do my best in the things under my control. By the Great One's grace..." he trailed off, unsure where he was going.

Josh nodded in agreement; even Eva Morales seemed to have little understanding of what she was capable of as the Peacemaker, from the time they had spent together with Rayquaza. He still had faith that Raikou was a benevolent god. Harsh and merciless, yes, but benevolent all the same. After what happened in Kanto and Johto, it would make sense for Raikou's motives to be aligned with the League, assuming the Beast survived. His trip to Johto made it seem like his god's fate was death, but the creature was so elusive that it was impossible to know for certain.

Delilah's thoughts were true, too; even if wasn't Raikou, being a pawn of the gods inevitably and irrevocably changed people forever. If that day were to come, it would require careful consideration. "It depends on the Patron, really. I genuinely believe that Raikou, if he's still out there, is good and benevolent. It would also make sense for him to be an ally of the League, given the war that almost encroached upon Johto. But now's not the time to speculate." Janus, too, had done his part in opening the Gym Leader's metaphorical mind's eye.

"And a lot of it has already been done," Josh nodded. "For three long months, which should have been six months if it were not thanks to FERNANDO SILPH 's generous commutation, I lost sight of what I truly value most: being this city's leader. If I had to pick between Raikou and Mauville, I would reluctantly pick Mauville. This place keeps me going." A smile grew on his face when Delilah offered to put out a public apology for Matias' actions. "It would. Now I can't promise he and I will be on speaking terms immediately, but I'll do my best to save face with him, as well. Given the damage he's done, it will be hard. But I'm willing to try. Thank you."

Janus stood up, sensing the discussion was coming to an end soon. "Anything else you need from me?" the Leader asked Delilah as a scoreboard buzzer echoed from the north.