The remark that Raikou was dead made Josh sniff. Not full-on cry like his past self would have, but it would be easy for the Avatar to tell he was holding emotion back. "Matias, have you heard the Unovan folk tale about a carpenter who crafted a doll and treated that doll like his own son? One day, the doll came to life, taking on sentience of its own. With the carpenter's guidance, experience, and love, the doll became a real boy."

The children's story resonated with Josh, both in his last moments with Kyle and now. The Raikou was horn from the ashes of his past self and from the ashes of his favorite Raikou plush. The one that had rest on his desk during his long office shifts. The one he took with him everywhere, including to his match with the late Top Champion. The first one he had, and the only one he had before he moved to Hoenn.

"He may not be alive in the traditional sense. But even so, Swift's my boy," he added, a single tear crawling down each of his cheeks. "And if there's anyone that can bring him back to true life, it's the Great One. They already did it once. And they can do it again."

Was that smirk one of belittlement? Or was it one of Matias acknowledging Josh's growth since leaving his mark in Hoenn's Hall of Fame? It mattered not. He felt their rocky relationship was on the way to what it was when Josh first came to Hoenn. They were friends back then. Reliable partners. "Even so, all too many stories take inspiration from the truth."

Sparks of inspiration flew from the young man, supercharged by his faith in the Great One and the legacy Kyle left in his hands. In their meeting, dahlia goode had made Josh aware that Raikou's death could not be confirmed. Until then, he still had hope to meet the Beast. Little did he know that he would have the power to give the Raikou new life. The knowledge of that power had been lost, though; taken with Kyle to his grave. Perhaps he would discover it on his own one day. "Timing," Josh answered. "It is clear that the Great One was acting in the League's best interests under Kyle's Avatarship. She'll watch over Swift under my care like she did under Kyle's. I have faith."

Part of the boy's strength of faith was in his belief of the life after the current one. The afterlife. "The Johtonian Scriptures state that those who suffer in the Great One's name in this life will be rewarded with eternity in paradise during the next. I would gladly do so in Her name. Our time in this world is ephemeral. It is fleeting. Our time in the world beyond this one is eternal."

Perhaps one day in that life, Josh would get to soar ahead of a colossal rainbow. But likely not in this life. He felt flying on the rainbow bird was blasphemous. At Matias' remark, Josh would extend his hand to be shaken. "My faith in the Great One is unwavering, and it will see us through this war. The war on Rocket. As the Great One's Knight of Thunder, the Hero of Johto, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Right, there was a military operation, was there not?

"As Elite Four, I am sure you were apprised of Sootopolis long before we as Gym Leaders were. This is why it is important for me to figure out Swift before then. Rocket won't see it coming. They'll think Raikou and Suicune died with Kyle. They thought Raikiri was fast? Swift's even faster. They won't know what hit 'em!" He gestured toward the ashen Beast. "You're welcome to a run with him and I if you want. It's my way of returning the favor for Virizion."

Somewhat disappointing, but expected. For those not trained for it, a Raikou's speed was vomit-inducing, remembering how ne nearly threw up the first time he invoked the Beast's Extreme Speed whe Kyle was still alive. He longed for it, being able to race across the land at almost invisible speeds. Alas, his relationship with the Raikou was too young. One day. One day, it would happen. And he would be in paradise on earth.

"My stay in Dewford Regional Hospital gave me all kinds of time to consider that," Josh replied, climbing back onto Swift not because he was leaving, but because he felt more comfortable astride the ashen Beast. "That's why I've devised a new challenge at Mauville Gym. It's for training war couriers and suppliers. The front lines need information, medicine and supplies to keep going out there. Having people who can keep supply lines flowing is just as important as those who do the actual fighting. I'm still waiting on approval from dahlia goode and the Elite Four; it got declined once in February." He had since made substantial revisions to the challenge. It would be an additional option alongside the racing challenge; that challenge brought in too much revenue to drop.

"It only takes getting shot so much to know one's place on the battlefield."

The rapport between them was already being repaired; Josh could tell from the Avatar's tone. It seemed almost exactly like it was in Lavaridge, that night they went out to dinner together and the young man learned much about Avatars. "When you have to have enough Bullet Seeds extracted from you to fill an entire cup..." he trailed off, unsure where he was going with the anecdote. "But hey, I can't say I didn't try. I've found my place in the war. I might never be a war hero like you were, but I know my contributions will be vital for the League's victory this summer."

Matias did have a point, though it was one that Josh quickly dismissed. "The problem is the training would take place on the Gym grounds and is engineered around the layout there. I'll need to ask Commissioner dahlia goode if what you propose is okay." The issue was more complicated than that, though. "I just want Mauville Gym to be able to contribute to the war effort a little more directly. Plus..." he trailed off again before resuming, "Mauville Gym's... been slow. Challenger volume's down a lot. I need to drum up business somehow."

"Exactly," Josh replied, smiling toward Matias for the first time in quite some time. "It's not about the recognition. It's about what you do for your region. Your country. Making a difference in the lives of the people you protect." Was he at last understanding what Josh had tried to bang through Groudon's thick skull?

Expanding the Gym grounds was something Josh had not considered. Securing the land grant he did proved to be a challenge. "Perhaps as a Champion, I have more sway. I might see if I can secure another grant--"

Josh blinked, looking confused at Matias' latest revelation. "Wait, Groudon left you?" he assumed, even his Pokémon diverting their attention toward the Volatile -- or formerly the Volatile, perhaps. He was uncertain whether that title applied any longer. Just what could have happened on that mountain for the earth god of Hoenn to sever such a long Avatarship?