The challenger was a talented one indeed, racing the Leader with a Zeraora. So many of them had turned up in the hands of trainers after the big tournament in Lilycove that challengers had thought they could get an advantage by using a rare Pokémon. What a rude awakening they would get, and what a crowd-pleasing show it would be. Josh had acquired so many rare and fast Pokémon that he could fill an entire racing challenge with them, no longer needing Braver to TELEPORT them to a ghostly course above Mount Pyre.

Josh's challenger had bit off more than he could chew; in the final lap of the race, her body shut down from being unable to withstand the intense aura of Infinity Energy and the sheer speed a QUICK ATTACKING Zeraora could muster. She didn't even make the podium, finishing a distant fourth behind Raikiri, Entei, and Tyrfing, a Gouging Fire and Iron Boulder. After the awards ceremony was over, he approached the young female.

"You've got good fundamentals, but I think a Zeraora is too advanced for you to handle. I know they're incredibly fast and powerful, but you need to recognize your own personal limits, too. I would give careful consideration to your team within the next 45 days, find the one that you can work with best within your limits, and only issue a challenge when you have become used to your new Pokémon. Remember, the bond between trainer and Pokémon is two-way. You can't rely on just your Pokémon's strength; your own is important. If you don't want to directly practice, exercises that stress your midsection can help with the endurance you'll need. I look forward to your next challenge!"

With the award ceremony over, the bleachers began to clear out, the last challenge before lunch having been completed. The Gym Leader slid off the back of his Zeraora, the paradox Pokémon scattering to the corners of the grounds. In their place galloped a Manectric, Luxray, and Illumina Pyroar male, Josh giving each of them, including the on-fours thundercat, a great big hug.

Once Josh was done embracing Kovu, he found himself in the presence of a child. A child that was far too young to own a Pokémon of his own. "Of course, you can, little guy!" the Gym Leader encouraged. "Just be careful around Saber's and Blitz's yellow fur - you might get a shock if you pet them the wrong way!" The Shiny Luxray in particular seemed enthusiastic to play with the child, even sitting down and offering his back to him. Were the child to pet the Illumina Pyroar, he would gently purr in an effort to tickle him.

Once the child seemed entertained, Josh would take one eye off him to greet what he could only presume was his father. "Hi there! Leader and Champion Devlin, but please, call me Josh. What can I help you with?'

"Ah, looking for a quick lesson?" Josh asked the detective and the child he could only presume was his son. "We routinely offer classes for riders of all skill levels, from beginner to expert. If you find yourself interested, feel free to register when the next one opens up. But I can certainly go over the basics with you."

The two felines would crouch to let Kyle and the boy hop on if they so wanted, Kovu giving preference toward the younger one.

Depending on how young he was, he may have had trouble reaching the Illumina Pyroar's reins. The Gym Leader himself took to the back of Saber, his Manectric, who howled in excitement. "How much experience do the two of you have being on a Pokémon's back? That'll help me figure out where to start." The course they had been racing was a thrilling one, too, containing two jumps that could leave the child's heart pounding in excitement...!

Catching on to the child's brazen nature, Josh was cautiously optimistic in his advertised capabilities. "I'll go with him," he offered, Kovu turning his Illumina brightness down to the minimum he could manage. Nala, too, turned her luminosity down, gently nuzzling Kyle if he allowed it. She seemed to want the other man to go for a run, too.

Regardless of Kyle's disposition toward the female, Josh would address him. "I'll sit behind him, but I'll let him hold the reins. He seems really excited!" Were the PI to approve, the Gym Leader would help him get seated in front before climbing on behind, giving him a partner to brace himself against if he became overwhelmed riding the lion.

Giving the young one a gentle pat on the shoulder, the teacher would see how much his student knew. "You know how to control his speed and his direction, right?"

The rest of Josh's pride, and stragglers who remained in the gallery after the Gym Challenge was over, looked excited to see the king and queen race one another. Josh snorted upon hearing the child's suggested method to control Kovu, the large, golden-maned lion powerfully purring to get him amped up. Even Josh felt a strong rumble beneath him; he couldn't have imagined how that must have been for the energetic guest.

"That is one way, yes, but you'll wear your voice out if you try shouting over the wind," Josh corrected the boy, reaching around him to grab the fire-type lion's reins. "It's actually a lot like riding a bike. Pulling on the reins like this is how you steer him!" Josh squeezed the Pyroar's sides lightly, bringing the lion to a brisk walk before pulling with his left arm. At his tactile command, the lion started turning left, then back to the right with a tug of his right arm.

Were the child to demonstrate an understanding of how to control direction, only then would Josh grant his wish. "Squeezing his sides with your legs is how you control his speed," Josh taught the child like he did most of his new students. "The tighter your hold, the faster he'll go. If you relax your legs, he'll slow down. That's just about all there is to it!" Before he agreed to let the child race Kyle, though, he would evaluate the boy's understanding of how to control the lion. Something else also bothered Josh.

Was the chaperone's name... Kyle?