The squeeling of dragon scales didn't go unnoticed. But he was still focused on counting his qualified Pokemon. Josh offered to spend some time to look for Pokemon to fill out his ranks. The blonde simply nodded. He wouldn't mind a Weavile...and maybe a few others. Josh then mentioned a creative tradition. That...could be tough. Nodding again, Raju had to imagine the number of Pokemon hunting the gym leader had to do just to match all the possibilities. Or visits to breeders. Finally came the offer of the sparring match. Or rather, the acceptance of Raju's previous offer. "I've still got energy to spare. How many do you want to use? Big Bert might need to rest for a bit, but by the time I switch out Borrito for Rollin, get back, and if we do a six versus six, he'd be the last one I use and should be recovered then."

If not a long battle, he did have others to qualify as well. Jigawatt still packed a punch, having been one of his first Pokemon. Typhon has proved to be a powerhouse as well. Mage was an interesting one to be sure, and could very easily catch someone off guard. Samurai didn't know Aqua Jet yet, but they were also a physical bruiser...he had enough to handle things. He just needed some variety.



Josh Devlin

Traditional full-team battles were quite long; the recommended time limit for them was a half hour. "I have a better idea than a full-team match. How about three two Pokémon matches instead: one on land, one in the water, and one in the air? That way you'll get experience against a variety of different Pokémon. Should be quicker, too."

Knowing some of the Pokémon that Raju preferred was quite helpful, making Josh able to select opponents to have a good and fair match, rather than the outcome being decided from the word go. It wouldn't be fair to use Josh's Pyroar against grass-types, for instance! "If you would prefer a more standard match, we can do that instead."

---

Raju Mystic

{PC: 9}

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Blitz         Luxray**       Good
Aslan         Pyroar**       Good
Mystic        Ninetales      Good
Pinky         Sylveon**      Good
Crash         Boltund        Good
Janus         Espeon         Good

Josh had a different idea. It was interesting...though he wondered about the water one. "Does the water one have platforms? Jigawatt and Typhon have to team up since they're my only two flyers, so that leaves Samuari and Mage for the water one, and Mage isn't a water type. I still need to switch out Burrito for Rollin, but otherwise that sounds good to me." Raju coughed in his hand. That was quite a mouthful for him. Mage could swim, but definitely not as good as a water-type Pokemon. Besides, double-battles weren't popular in Paldea, but there were a few here and there. Still, the experience would be nice and refreshing.

After he got his answer and switched out Burrito for Rollin, they headed off to the first arena. The sky one. Taking out his two Pokeballs, he released a gigantic Kilowattrel and a smaller than average Gyarados. In a flying match, Jigawatt's electric-typing gave them a huge advantage. Typhon also knew Ice Fang. Super effective attacks were great, but there were other strategies that could make all the difference. If Josh liked speedy battles...what would he choose?


Josh Devlin

"Not platforms," Josh clarified. "There are channels in the shape of the outline of a giant Poké Ball. We have them closed up except in matches where purely aquatic Pokémon are involved." It gave water Pokémon plenty of maneuverability without allowing for too many places for land Pokémon to hide from them.

With Raju agreeing to the series of matches, Josh swapped out some of his Pokémon, as well. He ultimately chose to match one of the same Pokémon species that Raju used, whistling for Etali and Mastema, a Togekiss, to join him. Etali was also a quite-large Kilowattrel, as evidenced by the saddle he removed from the yellow bird's back. Afterward, he got to work removing Mastema's riding gear, the haughty, angel-like Pokémon giving Raju and his team an intimidating stare unlike the happy, friendly demeanor many of his kind showed. "Let's go, Raju! Come at me!"

---

Raju Mystic

{WC: 154}
{PC: 10}

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Aslan         Pyroar**       Good
Janus         Espeon         Good
Etali         Kilowattrel    Good
Mastema       Togekiss       Good
Illumina      Lanturn        Good
Snacker       Sharpedo       Good

Channels...well, as long as Mage wasn't at risk of drowning. Nodding, they were at it. Josh had done the same and switched out some of his Pokemon. Josh had the same idea. That's right, he had mentioned that he had a Kilowattrel of his own. And the gym leader wasn't kidding that the guy was a large one was well. Josh also decided to throw a Togekiss at him. Fairy and flying, right? And the thing was giving him a death stare. Weren't those supposed to be super happy go lucky? This one might be bloodthirsty. Although...that did beg the question, what was Josh's Kilowattrel's ability? Jigawatt's was Volt Absorb, so at least he was covered from Typhon getting OHKO'd.

Both Typhon and Jigawatt flew through the air. He doubted the Gyarados's Intimidate was going to matter much. "Electro Ball, Jigawatt. Typhon, use Dragon Dance." If he was going to be given the first move, he better try to make it count. A check and then a set up. Jigawatt developed an electrical ball and fired it at the Togekiss. Time to see what ability Josh's Kilowattrel had. Typhon glowed purpley red as he coiled and circled in a Dragon Dance to increase his speed and attack power. Hopefully that'll allow for a quick fight...


Josh Devlin

Jigawatt's flight pattern was deliberate and calculated, doing its best to put itself between Etali and Typhon in order to shield the Gyarados from a devastating Electro Ball of its own. Clever. His choice of Electro Ball against a Gym Leader known for extremely high speeds was suspect, though, especially as an opening act. The Togekiss' high speed, cultivated under Josh's care, reduced the high-speed projectile's impact to a glance. It was still a potent glance, and would have left the flying-type in awful shape.

If Josh had anything to say about it, though, Jigawatt wasn't keeping up with Etali forever. "Etali, AGILITY! Get behind the Gyarados!" he ordered. In a yellow blur, the bird squawked, shooting ahead of Jigawatt like a yellow comet circling to an impact point the Leader planned to be the Gyarados.

Mastema's flight dipped some as the Electro Ball grazed him. "Don't think we're lacking in tricks. Mastema, ANCIENT POWER!" The swift Fairy-type performed a vertical loop, a line of boulders headed for the Gyarados. His SUPER LUCK might be enough to tag Jigawatt, too, if it didn't keep a close eye on both Pokémon!

"Raju, you gotta build up your Kilowattrel's speed with Agility first," the Gym Leader coached his new hire. "That way, your Electro Ball will be harder to dodge, and it will strike with deadlier force, too."

---

Raju Mystic

{WC: 227}
{PC: 11}

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Aslan         Pyroar**       Good
Janus         Espeon         Good
Etali         Kilowattrel    Good
Mastema       Togekiss       Good
Illumina      Lanturn        Good
Snacker       Sharpedo       Good

The Electro Ball grazed the Togekiss. Check seen. No Volt Absorbe on the other Kilowattrel. Good. The opposing Kilowattrel had the same opening gambit, but their's was absorbed by Jigawatt. Electric type attacks weren't going to work as long as Jigawatt was on the field. Speaking of Kilowattrels, Josh's used Agility to get behind Typhon! "Aqua Tail!" It may not be the most effective of moves, but most of the others would require too much movement. And that Kilowattrel would learn that even a neutrally effective hit from a boosted Gyarados were not to be trifled with. A watery tail lashed out at the yellow blur.

It was still surprising that the Togekiss knew Ancient Power, though. That was a move to be cautious of. "Jigawatt, Hurricane!" With a single, large flap of her wings, Jigawatt sent a torrent of whirling winds that clashed with the rock-type move with no one gaining ground there. That did show how strong the Togekiss's attacks were going to be. That made him nervious. Ancient Power was a decently powered attack, and with the possibility of it increasing Togekiss's already impressive powers...that was going to be a challenge. Then came the coaching. "Jigawatt doesn't know any other electric-type move that targets a single combatant. It was a check on your own Kilowattrel's ability. It doesn't have Volt Absorb. Jigawatt does. Electric-type attacks from yours will only help her." Thunderbolt was another intention of his...Discharge was nice in certain situations. Just not in this battle. Maybe if he got a Flygon, Vikavolt, or Gliscor...


Josh Devlin

The use of Electro Ball was a good scout. That was not what impressed the Gym Leader, though; what impressed him more was Jigawatt's uncanny ability to drain electricity from a short distance, protecting Typhon. "He doesn't need to be fast if he can do that. Even so, that is an astute observation," Josh noted aloud. "With that kind of skill and your knowledge base, you may end up being a good candidate for Interim Gym Leader when I need to take time off, or if something prevents me from returning to work."

The powerful AQUA TAIL would punish Etali's reckless move, flinging the electric bird up and away. The water's density would weigh him down, forced to discharge his electricity to electrolyze the water instead of hurling it at the water-type. Instead, the crafty bird would take advantage of the height granted by the whipping tail to divebomb Typhon. Ideally, he would PLUCK at one of the foe's sensitive and prized whiskers.

That it took a technique as powerful as a HURRICANE to repel Mastema's ANCIENT POWER was an adequate demonstration of Mastema's strength, one that the Leader hoped Raju would recognize. "If you want to be one of the Gym's top trainers, you need to learn how to follow its signature attacks. Mastema, EXTREME SPEED!"

With a sonic explosion in his wake, the haughty fairy-type screeched and lunged at the opposing Kilowattrel with speed so great that the untrained eye could not follow it. With practice, though, Raju would be able to do so. It would be the first step of many to be able to ride atop a Pokémon using the ultrafast move.

---

Raju Mystic

{PC: 12}

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Aslan         Pyroar**       Good
Janus         Espeon         Good
Etali         Kilowattrel    Good
Mastema       Togekiss       Good
Illumina      Lanturn        Good
Snacker       Sharpedo       Good

Raju didn't react to the praise. Now as the time to battle, it was time to focus. The Aqua Tail hit hard, but didn't knock out the yellow bird. It did fling the flyer up and towards his head...where most of his attacks originate. But Etali recovered well, and countered with Pluck at his whiskers, making him scream in pain. But the bird was also in perfect range! "Ice Fang!" Typhon's fangs glowed silvery blue and tried to chomp down on Etali. Hopefully that earlier Dragon Dance was worth it...with balance between speed and power boosting. Guess he'll see if it works.

Extreme Speed was just one "signature" attack of the gym. Or so he would imagine. The big fairy gave a sonic boom, startling him. "Agility!" The blonde could have used Quick Attack, but he doubted that would do anything but feed the Togekiss more damage. Jigawatt blurred around, but wasn't fast enough to dodge the Extreme Speed. Jigawatt got clipped, making her flip over the Togekiss, and recovering below the fairy. Hopefully the Ice Fang would fling the enemy Kilowattrel towards the bloodthirsty thing...


Josh Devlin

Etali's approach and fly-by let the electric bird gain the upper hand, but not for long. Typhon's ICE FANG hit even harder, freezing the oil beneath the Kilowattrel's feathers and weighing the bird down too much to keep flying. Seeing the writing on the wall, Josh withdrew the electric Pokémon, leaving Mastema all alone. If the haughty Togekiss was anything else, he was confident. Confident enough that he stayed in the fight despite the numbers disadvantage.

"Light 'em up, Mastema! DAZZLING GLEAM!"

The swift Togekiss soared above, gleaming with a brilliant white light that even the Gym Leader could not look directly at without feeling like his eyes were on fire. While speed was the Gym's asset, Melody Miro had taught Josh the importance of handling counters to pure speed. Area attacks, unavoidable attacks, Trick Room... the list went on. Without her help, he wouldn't be the sharp Gym Leader he was today.

---

Raju Mystic

{PC: 13}

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Aslan         Pyroar**       Good
Janus         Espeon         Good
Etali         Kilowattrel    KO
Mastema       Togekiss       Good
Illumina      Lanturn        Good
Snacker       Sharpedo       Good

Typhon's Ice Fang was a resounding success, taking down the enemy Kilowattrel. But the Togekiss was still a bit haughty and confident...strong as it was, surely it didn't think it could take down both of them. Right? Then it soared up and unleashed a devastating Dazzling Gleam. The light from the attack actually blinded him. Typhon zoomed to take the attack for Jigawatt, slamming into the far ground. And getting knocked out in a single hit. Gulping, Raju returned the downed Gyarados. The knock out sucked, but at the same time, gave him a consistant damage dealing move. "Discharge!" Zooming up to be as close as possible, Jigawatter unleashed an outwardly expanding sphere of electricity. A strong area of effect electrical attack. Hopefully that would be the deciding attack. Or if it paralyzed the normally happy go lucky Pokemon...it would be a game changer.


Josh Devlin

The close-range DISCHARGE was indeed enough to down the fairy-type. In a higher-stakes battle, he would have ordered Mastema to execute a desperation Extreme Speed strike, but that would have hurt him more. Out of respect for his Pokémon, he simply withdrew the speedy, floating Pokémon. Aerial battles weren't Josh's forte to begin with. "Kilowattrel are really good at winning aerial battles. You recognized that and capitalized on that. Well done."

With several of his water Pokémon dousing the flames churned by the strong electrical discharge, Josh took a breather in the meantime. "Once they get this place cleaned up, you want our next round to be in the water or on the ground?" he asked, letting the promising Gym Trainer decide which he was more comfortable with first. If Raju had spoken to other Gym Leaders, especially Alexei Ivanov , he would know that ground battles were what Josh was best at.

---

Raju Mystic

{WC: 154}
{PC: 14}

NAME          SPECIES        STATUS
Aslan         Pyroar**       Good
Janus         Espeon         Good
Etali         Kilowattrel    KO
Mastema       Togekiss       KO
Illumina      Lanturn        Good
Snacker       Sharpedo       Good

Thankfully it worked, and the Togekiss went down. Jigawatt squaked in victory, Raju nodding and returning her back to the pokeball. He was more thinking type matchups, but Jigawatt was fast as well and able to move quickly. He just needed a good partner for her with double battles. Typhon was definitely better in the water. But this was also a test in how good of a battler he was. The win still felt good though, not gonna lie. The cleanup gave the two a breather, with Josh asking a question. "Water. Give Big Bert a little more time to rest." The water one was going to be interesting, since he had to use Mage and Samurai.

When the place was cleaned up, the field was switched to the water one. He was kind of nervous on on this one. Taking out two Pokeballs, the threw them at the channel closest to him, revealing a pair of Golisipods. Though the one on the left was really his Hisuian Zorua that was Mage. The other one named Samurai. "Ready whenever you are." Josh revealed his own duo. A Lanturn and a Sharpedo. Uh oh. That last one concerned him. Dark type, rough skin or speed boost for abilities. Likely speed boost considering the gym. Lanturn being part electric was interesting...similar line of thinking to his in the flying round. He had an idea on an opening gambit. But it depended on who Josh wanted to go first.


Josh Devlin