Josh shook his head; now was poor timing to run into a Shaymin. He was familiar with the innocuous species' extreme power; he had run into one in the sky earlier in the year. Its Seed Flare had taken down three of the Gym Leader's strongest Pokémon, and was more than capable of felling even Raikiri in a single blow. The species' size lent itself to quickness, as well.

Josh's best strategy he could come up with was to get an early lead and eat time off the clock. Building up great speed and AGILITY, Raikiri whizzed around his small, aromatic foe before about-facing. A noise akin to tires squealing against pavement echoed about the arena, the feline's paws ablaze from friction burn. With paws on fire akin to a pair of FIRE PUNCHES, the feline dove toward his foe in an effort to ignite it, too.

The vibrations of EARTH POWER and similar Ground-type moves were ones Josh and Raikiri had spent tireless hours learning the warning signs of. Being a trainer who specialized in fast Pokémon, he knew a shocking number of them had a common weakness to Ground-type Pokémon. His Pokémon were more than prepared for earthen assaults.

"BOUNCE, Raikiri!" Josh cried. With incredible reaction time, the thundercat leaped toward the rafters, ready to crash on top of the Shaymin. Though the paw attack from above would be unlikely to land due to how high the Zeraora had leaped, it was more important for the cat to be defensive. Though they were known for their speed, felines were also patient hunters, waiting for the right moment to strike. Finding that right moment would be critical in Josh's victory plans.

Having learned from its mistakes, the Shaymin had stood in a spot where it could absorb enough sunlight to cover the entire arena in the width of an eradicating SOLAR BEAM. It was a brilliant tactic; though the Zeraora had great speed, he could not fly. Raikiri would have to land eventually, even from its highest Bounce.

"You think you have time for that?" Josh taunted, his hands folded over his chest. If Raikiri had his way, the Shaymin wouldn't have the luxury of time. The QUICKINIUM-Z beneath his fur glinted a bright yellow, a sonic boom following his HYPERSONIC PLASMA CHARGE. Even if the grass-type were able to withstand shredding paws and claws coming at it impossibly fast, it would need to endure the aural explosion and the wicked jolts of white lightning surrounding him, too!

Josh warned him. Shaymin didn't have time for SEED FLARE. Long cuts flooded with electricity and ravaged by a supersonic shockwave proved to be too much for the grass-type to overcome. Even the Gym Leader closed his eyes as the compressed air washed over him. Withdrawing Raikiri, Josh walked up to Noel and extended a hand.

"Good match, sorry it was so one-sided," Josh apologized. "I've seen what Shaymin can do." He had more to say but lacked the energy to say any more. The Gym Leader returned to the commons to get his Zeraora patched up for the next round, plopping himself onto a bench and closing his eyes, taking advantage of how short his battle with Noel was.