Though the course was named for its intersection of large tube and more standard road, the course's true most treacherous obstacle was ahead: a blind left turn at a nasty angle. Josh had an almost unfair advantage against challengers; he had raced this course so many times that he was familiar with the angle, needing to make such a turn before even seeing the turn itself. Mika seemed to be doing fine; if anything, this would be a great equalizer that would make the last lap competitive and tense for them both.

Almost in sync with the left turn coming into view, Josh flung Suraku's reins hard to the left, the firebird's tail and right wing alight to accommodate the path without shedding too much speed. If he wanted to have a shot at keeping Mika on top of her game, he had to make aggressive moves. With only one lap remaining afterward, they were rapidly running out of time to do so!

Fire crackled loudly from the eyes and wings of both TALONFLAME, Mika Nakayama determined to hold the lead and Josh Devlin equally so to get himself back into a position to advance up the field. Both birds alternated jets of flame from their wings to assist with the back-and-forth turns of the Intersection. Just one turn remained before the final lap, but it was a brutal and deceptive one. The rising terrain obscured a gnarly left and a huge tree straight ahead. Those who could not turn in time would surely be entangled in its branches.

ACE SHEEKE, flying close to the top of the course's bounds, was able to see the turn coming easier than others. That and his familiarity with the course let him zoom through the sharp left and the quick right afterward, grazing his head on the inside top of the course's ring. Mika may have been able to hear the furious buzzing of Flygon wings - ARAVAN ESCHER and the bug-like dragon were catching up fast! The extreme agility with which they weaved around the two curves left him seeing stars, unaware than he had zoomed past Josh Devlin going into the final lap.

Mika Nakayama 's lead kept growing, ERON IUNIS and his SKARMORY dipping to get out of the way of the TALONFLAME's thermals. That last curve was coming fast. Too fast at the higher speeds afforded to them. The Ranger's hand slipped for a split second prior to the turn, causing them to initiate the sweep far too late. Without enough time to react, the TALONFLAME's wings and talons were caught among the study, woody branches. Were it not for her harness, the challenger surely would have been sent flying from her seat.

[player]https://file.garden/ZDeuoB-J4RNQd5aY/Off%20Course_Retired.mp3[/player]

All she could do was watch the others finish the race, her still view of the four other competitors whizzing by giving her a true perspective of just how fast she was flying. Though the finish was not competitive, with a gap of over one second between each of the four who crossed the line, it was still a treat to watch them blast down the final stretch in QUICK ATTACKS and other bursts of dizzying speed.

After the race was over, Josh and his Talonflame flew back to Mika and Sora to help them down. "You two okay?" he asked, the corner of his eyes on the three Gym Trainers accepting their medals on the distant podium he wished he could be on. "I was watching you near the end of the second lap. It looked like you lost your focus for a split second. I have to give you credit for trying; that angle's really tough. You're not the first to wind up in that tree, and you won't be the last."

Provided they both could still fly, Josh and Suzaku would lead Mika and Sora back to the Gym's back door. Otherwise, the Gym Leader would whistle for Resheph, his Dragonair, to ferry them both back. "You were on amazing pace the whole time. I thought you were going to take the course record. You would have if you could hold the lead, too. Such is the nature of racing; lose your focus for even a split second, and your run at the cup can be all over. I'm sure next time you challenge Mauville Gym, you will come out on top. Unfortunately, you have to finish the race to win the Badge. As much as it pains me to, I can't give it to you quite yet."

Once they were off their Pokémon, Josh opened the sliding door leading into the office building. "The showers are next to the locker room on the first floor if you need them. See you around, Mika!" he waved, headed in the opposite direction after closing the sliding door. "I look forward to your next challenge!"