Easy to read was as blunt as the DYNAMIC PUNCH of a Machamp. It was one of the reasons Josh wore a mask whenever he played poker. The number of facial tells people could pick up on him otherwise would get him laughed out of even the most recreational poker rooms. "I've gotten used to standing out," Josh agreed with the Top Champion. "Dramatic entrances, wild dreams... it's just how I am. Recognition means a lot to me... which is probably why I haven't gotten a pay bump as a Gym Leader yet. Remember, I used to be a semi-pro athlete looking to turn pro before I took on the position of Mauville Gym Leader. I'm used to the glitz. Not gonna lie, I enjoyed it."

When asked about Callan, Josh was quick to spill his guts about his frustrations with... well, all of the Elite Four, but Callan in particular. "My matches with MATIAS SILPH and Melody Miro were at least close. I think that by studying my matches with them, I can at least beat them. But Callan? He's on a whole different level." The Gym Leader paused to collect his thoughts, Saber understanding exactly what he was thinking and trying to reassure him with more affection. "If our match at the Battle Arcade last year was any indication, he's Champion material, one hundred percent. In any of your challenges as a Gym Leader, Elite Four, or as the Top Champion, have you ever managed a perfect battle, where none of your Pokémon take a single hit? Cause that's what he did to me."

It was clear that the battle was a traumatic experience for Josh, beyond an ordinary loss. "It's his Slaking. There's something special about it. Something I've never seen before. Their strength is held back by their need to take frequent breathers in battle. His, though... his showed no sign of the species' typical laziness at all. It acted faster than all of my Pokémon, and completely swept my team like dominoes. You would think Ghost-types to be a good answer to that, but that plays into the Trick Room strategy I faced when I challenged him while he was a Gym Leader. I... I'm at a loss."

"A gimmick... no more of a gimmick than high speed... that's one way to put it, isn't it?" Come to think of it, this had to be how many of his challengers felt. He was the Master of Faster for a reason. While not having seen each other in a direct competition, Josh knew from his measurements that Raikiri in particular could compete with even some legendary Pokémon known for their speed. Having ridden on Suicune's back, he knew first-hand that the two were comparable. "You're not the only one; I have dozens of Pokémon at Mauville Racing Grounds myself." Kyle's point about there being little he could do to prepare for it at the time sunk in. "You're not wrong. The problem isn't the Slaking in a vacuum, nor the Trick Room strategy he used against me last time. It's the two in tandem that I'm having trouble finding a solution for."

Yes, preparing for Josh's battle style wasn't too challenging on paper. With every loss he took, though, he was learning more about how trainers of all skill levels dealt with his extreme speed. "Not as much anymore. I've learned a lot, both from Callan and from you. It's just Callan's two approaches together that caused trouble. I'm sure there are four Pokémon that will serve as a solution. I have a Dragapult that should, in theory, handle the Slaking well." In theory. He was unsure if HYPER-ADAPT, like his own HYPERSONIC PLASMA CHARGE, could transcend the material and rend the ethereal, nullifying the Ghost-type's defensive advantage as his move did the Ground-type's immunity to electricity. "Like I said, it's the two put together that's the problem."

The more he thought about it, the more he realized how much Melody Miro was correct. "You know, Melody told me something similar after our close match. I had so much fun battling Melody. And I would have had more fun against Matias if I didn't hate his guts right now. I know the whole Eris thing was ultimately me failing to control myself. I'm not going to say he wasn't a string-puller, though. He knows what I want and what I'm willing to do to make it happen, and used me for his own ends." Kyle may have already been aware of the animosity between the two during their trip to Galar.

"You mean... play the long game?" Josh sheepishly asked. He had several Pokémon capable of playing the long game, such as Nitro, but that Slaking overpowered even such a defensive threat. "Slaking are already geared to combat that. Thunder Wave didn't slow his down one bit; if anything, it made it stronger. And with only the Elite Four and Champion having the freedom to swap Pokémon mid-battle, it effectively makes his entire team immune to such tactics. At least that's how I understand the Champion Assessment; any Pokémon the challenger withdraws is considered to be out of the battle."

"Matias just a front, you say..." Josh trailed off. It was in great contrast to himself, a young man who was honorable and honest to a fault, often putting his cards face-up on the table. He read people in the same way: at face value. While it worked well for most people, those in seats of power had hidden sides to them, requiring a much deeper dig to find their true feelings. Matias was certainly in that category.

"That's... that's exactly what Melody told me to do," Josh nodded. "And to a lesser extent, Callan, as well. I don't think Callan is a bad person. Just intimidating." He nodded at Kyle incentivizing Josh to figure out a plan all on his own. Perhaps a path not about raw power, or even leaving the the foe's entire team paralyzed. "Being a Gym Leader requires me to have a large variety of Pokémon. I'm sure I can get a brand new squad ready by the time I'm able to battle Callan again."

As the two passed by the Ancient Tomb, memories of the false Galar flooded back into his mind. "That blue wolf Pokémon were fast. Really fast. I wonder how they would compare to Raikou."

Josh's new approach to his second round of the Elite Four wasn't without speed. Speed was still his forte, and he would be a fool not to take advantage of his strongest aspect of Pokémon combat. It just wouldn't be the only thing he would find himself reliant on going forward. It was a lesson that losing to all four of Hoenn's Elites had at last beat through his thick, stubborn skull.

"Of course," Josh answered. "It's a very different battle style, and my Pokémon have to get used to it. Once my schedulers move some of my appointments around, I'll have a time slot dedicated to practicing the new tactics." Outspeeding every opponent was Josh's style, but it was not a sustainable one. Competitive battle was a long, drawn-out affair at the highest levels, and going in with the pedal to the metal was a great way to run out of gas. Their new style would be slow and methodical from the beginning, though it would kick things into high gear when the time was right. It would leave them with the fuel they needed to cross the finish line.

A sort of reverse speed trap, for lack of a better concept.

Josh's smile grew at the mention of the Johto Beasts. "Then we'll need to keep our skills sharp with them, right? How about a run through northeastern Hoenn, then?" Direct and to the point - typical Josh. It was evident from the beginning that he just wanted to see Raikou again. Deep down, be still believed Raikou was out there, seeking a partner that he hoped was him. He had simply resolved to let such a wild desire no longer control him. If he got violent again over it, the League would give him no second chances. "...That is, if you will it, Your Majesty."

This time, the reference to the events of the alternate Galar were fully intentional.

Josh was excited to see Raikou, though he wasn't squealing like a fanboy as he did the first time. The events of the trip to Galar, as well as those of his restitution, had caused him to mature quite a bit. He still gave the Beast a big hug before mounting up, but he wasn't as giddy as he was before. Kyle may have been able to tell it was a sign of his maturity - his acceptance that he did not need to be Raikou's Avatar to make a difference in Hoenn. Though his contributions to the Battle of Dewford were minimal, his speed was still integral in the success of a number of League operations. They were just nothing absolutely mission critical.

While Saber insisted on being withdrawn to his Poké Ball, full well knowing he could not keep up with the legendary Pokémon of his trainer's dreams, Raikiri seemed eager to compete. "Heh, I think Raikiri wants to race Raikou and Suicune," Josh said to Kyle, seeing the electric blues against the whites of the Zeraora's passionate eyes.

Seated on Raikou and leaning low in the thundercloud saddle, Josh spread his legs wide and squeezed the electric tiger's sides. "Hyah!" With that, the thundercats were off, the winding road of Route 120 no match for them. "If there's any Pokémon that can track down those two big dogs, Kyle, it's these two." He wanted to carry on conversion with Kyle as long as possible; once they got to a certain speed, communication between them would be difficult, if not impossible. For now, he kept the speed reasonable, but it was clear that at the right moment, he wanted to have Raikou floor it.

Josh had met with many League Avatars through his duries as a Gym Leader, and was quickly discovering that every Avatarship was different. Each was its own beast. He did bring up a point; these two were blank slates, both extensions of the Emergent's will and would listen to their riders' every command. Even if he were to meet and befriend Raikou, would it be a true friendship, the Beast at his beck and call? With the natures of the many legendary Pokémon he had met throughout his travels alongside those high up in the League, he had his doubts. There was a nagging feeling that Raikou, or any other legendary that would notice him, would control him.

It was part of the reason Josh had to take a step back and focus on what he could do. Plus, he was good enough friends with Kyle that any time he wanted to hop on Raikou's back and ride around Hoenn, he could, as long as the frequency was reasonable. In the memory of Galar, he had carved a trail of electric death from the thundercloud saddle. While it was a triumphant moment for him, he had to let it go and understand that it was a one-off. He couldn't rely on Kyle letting him saddle up his Raikou for every battle. He had to be able to fight on his own, and that was much of the purpose of him taking the Champion Assessment.

"It is in large part how the gods operate, is it not?" Josh rhetorically asked. "We have to try, though; as a liaison for SAPPHIRE, it's one of my duties for the League. We have to keep tabs on them and try to prevent Rocket from gaining any more Avatars."

The path before them began to widen and straighten out as the Ancient Tomb came back into view. "This is as good of a spot as ever. I'm ready to go fast. What about you? I want to see how much I've improved since last December." How well could he control the thundercat's EXTREME SPEED this time?