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?'