The presence of the monochrome lady and outfit she was wearing left a horrible taste in Josh's mouth. He was more than familiar with them from the day he went to the bottom of Area Zero with Laurence Anderson .

DRK Triad. Avatar hunters, they didn't take sides in the war. And while he couldn't confirm it himself, he felt that they also hunted those who sought to be Avatars. He had too many friends that were Avatars to betray them.

"Your people want my head already," Josh scoffed, knowing that his fervent interest, and now acquisition of, the Beast of Thunder likely made him dangerous in their eyes. His eyes shifted to Gwyar. "...Action."

RKS #2

Josh Devlin

"Now now." Gwyar said, raising a hand to halt his younger companion. "Patience."

It was a simulation. Nothing more— and they knew well what happened when you fought against them.

The hexenzirkel... A circle of witches? A Coven?

Tales and myths of witches and the like weren't uncommon in Galar— though the reasons were not great, historically. What an odd name.

"Hexenzirkel, yes?" He said, looking over to the beautiful, white haired woman. "Yes, I do believe we've come to the right place."

These simulations were sources of info, nothing more. They had to extract as much as they could as possible, whatever came.

He committed Hexenzirkel to memory as he met the simulated woman's gaze.

"We're here to join this Coven."

---

TL;DR:

Gwyar had told Josh to talk to the hand. To stuff his aggression. Did he not understand who these people were? Avatar killers. Killers of people who expressed interest in becoming Avatars. When he heard Gwyar's intent to join the Hexenzirkel.

"Gwyar, are you out of your mind?" Josh protested. "I beg of you, please reconsider. They've tried to claim my head once already. What's stopping--"

He was cut off by the odd voices filling his head, the scene fading to white as creepy eyes opened in the void surrounding them. "It'll be a miracle if I don't wake up covered in sweat from dying in this simulation..." Josh muttered.

RKS #2

Josh Devlin

"Not now, Mr. Devlin." Gwyar said simply, eyes remaining on the lady across from them.

Clapping came; genuine or amused, he did not know. But with it, came eyes. As it often seemed with these folk, Unown and such symbology followed wherever they came.

A message echoed in his mind as they were slowly surrounded, the blonde making no effort to move away from them as the simulation began to fade to white.

An anomaly that must not be perceived...

It reminded him of the research presented by FERNANDO SILPH's AEOS Division. But who was it that should be allowed to perceive the anomaly?

Not the Drk Triad or these Hexenzirkel, it seemed...

"A word, Mr. Devlin." Gwyar said simply as he finished gathering his thoughts, smiling at his fellow Gym Leader. "These are mere simulations; chances to gain information, if you will. I would recommend against concerning yourself with personal convictions in this place."

It would only limit the information they could acquire if they refused to explore certain avenues.

---

TL;DR:

Josh's faith in the Great One was strong. So strong that it at times clouded his judgment. Gwyar Wledig 's words were a reminder that this, indeed, was just a simulation. "An information gathering tool..." the Gym Leader mused. "Sometimes, I forget this is a simulation from how real it feels. I'll... play along."

Reluctantly, but he would.

Relic Red was a store Josh recognized. In Mauville Hills, it was an upscale boutique. Everything in there was too rich for his blood. Gwyar may have been able to tell Josh struggling, but ultimately suppressing his instincts.

"Heads always shreds."

RKS #2

Josh Devlin

He nodded, before turning his attention to their latest simulated experience.

They were in what he believed to be Mauville's inner city. He wasn't familiar with the clothing store, but he made a mental note to visit it at a later date.

More interesting than the store, however, was the man calling for their attention in a nearby alleyway.

Father Winter himself.

If only it were truly so easy to find these people.

"What my companion said." Gwyar said simply, not too certain of what Josh meant— but it didn't really matter one way or another. A coin flips were either random or rigged.

---

TL;DR:

"The Original One?" Josh asked Father Winter, though he did not get a response before the DRK TRIAD member disappeared into the rift. The singular UNOWN had distracted the Champion long enough for its owner to elude him. "Wait! I have several more questions for you!"

The Master of Faster reached for and pointed toward the rift. "Gwyar, this is the same Father Winter that came to us with those weird dreams during the holiday, isn't it? We should chase after him." Jogging toward the rift, he pursued the mysterious man without hesitation.

RKS #2

Josh Devlin

Gwyar looked unconvinced as the other gym leader gave chase. Nevertheless, he followed after the younger man.

"A simulation of him, perhaps." He said simply, taking note of the buildings around them, of the signs and streets being recreated. Mauville city's indoor section was relatively small, as far as city-scales went.

He would have to investigate the location in the real world when he had time. It was doubtful anything would happen, but it wasn't much of an effort, so he may as well give it a try.

---

TL;DR:

Now this was more like it. Josh had seen this incredible legendary Pokémon before: both hearing of it from Alexei Ivanov , as well as seeing the speed with which its storms covered Lilycove during the tournament. If it was up to him, he would match the aggressive, swift legendary Pokémon with one of his own.

The Master of Faster smiled as he plucked the RAINBOW FEATHER from his shirt. "What do you think, Gwyar? Ready to see him in action?" he asked his coworker, the artifact's quill sparking yellow in anticipation of its occupant being let loose.