Indeed, there was a race going on; a thirteen-year-old challenger with a Houndoom was zooming across TWIST ROAD, giving chase to the Gym Leader on his own Houndoom, Komainu. The dark-type dog Pokémon were known for being fast, but the speed on display looked extraordinary. Were he to look around, Haoyu would be able to see dozens of other saddled Pokémon, land, sea, and sky. Were they all Gym Pokémon? If so, the Leader had quite the collection.

After the race's final lap was over, Haoyu might have been able to eavesdrop on the conversation the teen and Josh were having. "Your fundamentals aren't bad, but I'd like to see you work on pacing a bit more. If you understand what your Pokémon is capable of, then you'll know what their limits are and know how much you can push them before they get tired. I'm sure when you come back in six weeks, you'll be able to claim Mauville's Gym Badge with no issues."

With that, the Gym Leader slid off his Houndoom and approached another of his Pokémon: a Shiny Sylveon that was enormous for her kind. After he hopped onto the saddled Eeveelution, her feelers rubbed against Josh in a way that looked therapeutic. Not only were his Pokémon big in general, but they were also big for their species.

Where did he get them, and what was he feeding them?

Part of being a Gym Leader was being a good mentor. After all, the purpose of the Gym circuit was to pass on a valuable lesson that would apply both to the war and to making Hoenn's trainers more talented. Josh had not only mentored Hoenn's average trainer, but other Gym Leaders, too. One of those went on to graduate to the Major League on her own.

Getting an older challenger was a bit unusual for Mauville Gym; due to the popularity of the racing challenge, it was mostly the younger crowd that flooded his signup page during the warmer months of the year. To see someone older ask about the Gym garnered his interest. "Hello there, sir!" Josh waved toward Haoyu. "Your face doesn't look familiar... did you sign up for an appointment online? If you didn't, it's not a big deal; just go in the back door and speak to my secretary. He'll check you in. And don't worry. Andrew's understanding."

Josh wanted to laugh at Haoyu's comment, and he was on the inside. Keeping his composure, he replied, "A Galarian Rapidash is actually perfect for older riders. They can use psychic abilities to keep you from falling, and healing ones to relax away any aches and pains." He wouldn't pressure Haoyu any further. Plus, at his age, he certainly wouldn't be going fast on such a Pokémon.

Josh had to correct Haoyu. "I'm not the most recent Champion anymore; Navy and CIAN MAHER are now Champions, too. Must be intimidating for challengers when three Gym Leaders are Champion Ranked. Anyway, a lot of lessons to learn with becoming a Champion are life lessons, just adapted to you and your Pokémon. Learn from your mistakes. Figure out what your strengths are between you and your team. Have a plan, but also plan to be adaptable."

Haoyu's questions continued as quite the unusual sight bounded toward the duo: a saddled Delcatty that was almost as tall as the Gym Leader himself was. The seat covered most of her back, but if she wore that kind of gear, she must have been strong. "Hi, Mirri!" he turned toward the normal-type, giving her some gentle scritches before turning back toward Haoyu.

"That's going to come with time. Until your Pokémon understands your battling style, you'll have to command them manually. Once you have a lot of experience and synergy with one another, you'll be able to battle just as effectively without giving your Pokémon a single command." Standing in the late spring heat was starting to make Josh sweat. "You are right; I have to rely on experience and intuition a lot. They don't call me the Master of Faster for nothing! Anyway, if you just wanted advice, we can sit down in my office if you'd be more comfortable."

Haoyu's nonverbal reaction to Mirri didn't go unnoticed; it was typical of visitors to Josh's Gym. The types of Pokémon one would see there weren't ones to be picked up and cuddled; they were ones great at battle, whether of strength or of speed. "Sure! I'll lead the way." Opening the sliding door back into the lobby, Josh walked toward the elevator, minding his pace so that Haoyu could keep up.

"It really just is about putting in the reps," Josh answered. "I've been a Pokémon trainer for fourteen years. I find that doing other things with them is helpful, as well. Even a simple occasional trail ride helped with some of them. Whatever you and your team can get closer over. I've even had a challenger who bonded with their Lucario by playing video games with them."

As the elevator dinged at the third and top floor of Mauville Gym's office, a double door would be before the two. Josh opened it, revealing quite the large office space. Neatly organized on wall shelves was a plethora of Raikou memorabilia - plush, trading cards, figurines, and the like. Next to the desk with his work computer on it was a giant, Ride-On Raikou plush that was nearly life-sized. It must have cost a small fortune. "If you are interested in watching lots of battles, we do sell season passes for the Gym. All the challenges at Mauville Gym are public unless specifically requested otherwise. You would get to see a variety of strategies trainers use to overcome high speed as a tactic." On the floor was a sleeping Jolteon, also wearing a saddle, and an unusual one at that; there was a guard on the front of it, presumably to prevent the rider from flying into her quills. Like Mirri, she was quite the big girl, as well.

Did Josh have Haoyu hooked? Another loyal customer? The season passes weren't cheap, but those who regularly showed up easily got their money's worth. "And worth every PD, too. Tickets to Master Class races are expensive. Here, you can watch amateurs as well as pros compete!" Budget was an important part of an older individual's decision-making, what with many being on a fixed income.

The topic changed to something more somber and serious. "You mean the war, right?" the Gym Leader confirmed, though he didn't think it was entirely necessary after the words left his mouth. "I think Hoenn is well-prepared as a whole. I'm questionable, though... cause of this damn arm," he cursed out of frustration, knowing he would not be at full capacity when the fighting broke out and he would be called into the line of duty.

"My dad has shared similar words with me many times," Josh nodded, appreciative of the older man's wisdom. "This arm's a temporary thing. Medium to long term, but temporary. Once I get full motion in it again, it'll be good as new. But slow steps, I know. It's why I'm taking it slow."

Josh walked toward the giant Raikou stuffie, swung his leg over it, and sat astride it like he would a real Pokémon. Despite being marketed toward teenagers that never grew out of their youth, the oversized toy still brought smiles to the grown mans face. "You're not the first one to suggest that, and I'm sure you won't be the last. This actually isn't the first time I've been hurt like this in the war. By my count, it's my third."

Conveniently, the Ride-On Raikou stuffie would let Josh answer that question easily enough. He grabbed the felt reins with one hand and ran that hand up and down them, leaning left and right as though he were turning. He kept his bad arm close to his body; it looked awkward, but his posture showed that he was a master of his craft.

"I actually fight from the saddle when possible," Josh answered Haoyu. "With me handling controls, it lets my mount focus on their attacks rather than on dodging. Keeps me out of harm's way and lets my Pokémon fight how they've been trained to."

Having agile Pokémon, but not knowing how to use them, was a great place for a guest trainer to start learning from Josh's Gym. Though riding was his preferred way to utilize a Pokémon's speed, it was not the only way. "Fast Pokémon make for really good decoys," the Champion suggested. "There's this old Johtonian proverb: 'A skilled decoy can get the enemy off your trail. A master decoy can live to do it again.' Speed is flashy. It captures attention. If you're looking to create a diversion, look no farther than a speedy Pokémon."