"The closer matches are more entertaining for us, too," Josh replied. "Ever had a day where just every single challenger you get has no clue what they're doing? It gets so boring." The prospect of close, exciting matches not only meant more educational opportunities for spectators, it also meant higher ticket sales. Though education was the main purpose of Hoenn's Pokémon Gyms, hence why they received League subsidies, it was still important, at least in Josh's eyes, for Mauville Racing Grounds to remain profitable. He eventually wanted the Gym to be profitable without accounting for his generous League stipend. If he could get that figure out of the red and into the black, it would give him so much more job security and not have to cull his ranks in the event he had to step down as Gym Leader.

"Mind counting me in on that test run?" Josh asked. Scolipede were huge, capable of seating several people on their backs. "It'll help me decide whether I like it or not." He truly did want one of every common Pokémon that could bear a rider, didn't he? He wondered how much he had spent at his favorite saddlery in Verdanturf. A small, if not a mid-sized fortune, at least. It was all worth it to him, though. He could not only follow his passion for racing, but share it through every challenger. Before long, there would be serious money to be made in the sport in Hoenn -- and possibly attract people back to the region despite war tearing it asunder.

Another loud purr from Pura startled Josh. "I think she wants to go for a run, Lam," he idly remarked. "I'll try to stay in sight, but she has a mind of her own."