Just because Josh was accompanying a trainer that had yet to go to a place as dangerous as Area Zero didn't mean he could hold back; on his belt were many powerful and rare Pokémon, including the Gouging Fire he was astride. Though it was impossible to see around the paradoxical Beast's horn-crown, he trusted the Pokémon to be his eyes. A warm and refreshing heat radiated from the creature's body, warming the two up as they entered from the glacial wastes above. "We shall! If I didn't introduce myself, I'm the Master of Faster, Mauville City's Gym Leader and Champion. You can call me Josh! And this Pokémon is Entei," he introduced the Gouging Fire that resembled the legendary Pokémon he named him after.

At last making it past the cloud cover separating the Giant Chasm from Area Zero proper, Josh reined the Beast look-alike toward a cliff precipice. "How deep are you comfortable going?" he asked. "There are some truly terrifying Pokémon at the bottom of the main cavern, where that giant Terastal crystal is. A ride Pokémon can be really helpful if you have one, too."

"Great to meet you too, Izzy," Josh replied, not bothering with a handshake because of how far off the ground he sat. Though Entei was smaller than most Gouging Fire, the Pokémon was still quite large. Having warmed up to tactile control after many months of bonding, Entei obeyed the turning command Josh issued through the reins. Was the Gouging Fire's willingness to wear such gear a sign that he was, in fact, not a legendary Pokémon? The resemblance to the Beast of Fire was so uncanny, even more so than Raikou and Suicune were to their past forms.

Josh took Izzy's answer to mean "all the way to the bottom", which made him worry a bit. At deep enough depths, wild versions of Josh's three paradox Beasts still roamed. Even without his specialized training, the three still had incredible speed, and could easily overwhelm a trainer not used to it. "Just stay alert is all I ask. Things can spiral out of control quickly. And if we sight one of Entei's kind down here, we had best turn back." He nodded at the acknowledgment that Izzy preferred to be on foot. Keeping it in mind, Josh led the way down the spiraling cavern. "Following the largest Terastal crystals is the easiest way to get there. There are some offshoots you can run into other powerful Pokémon at, like Iron Valiant, but tussling with them isn't recommend unless you're a really talented Trainer. They give even me trouble."

From the way Islwyn composed herself, Josh knew she was the real deal. Though her experience may have largely been in wooded environments, she seemed to have enough skills that crossed over into a subterranean environment. "Alright, I'll trust that you can hold your own down here. And if you ever get in trouble, there's room for two on Entei's saddle," he gestured toward the seat covering the front of the long Gouging Fire's back. The paradox Pokémon as a whole wasn't known for extreme speed, but under Josh's care, Entei could run.

The Gym Leader reined the horned Beast to a stop, Josh unable to see over Entei's horn as he reared and stomped. "Stay on your guard. It might be another of Entei's kind. I really hope not; they're almost too much for even me to handle."

Josh's best trait as a Gym Leader was his dependability; even Greyson Connors gave him credit for that much, though it wasn't in front of his face. If there was a Hoennian in need of a lift back to civilization, Josh would oblige. He had found his skillset and used it to the best he knew how. If ne needed to escort a League official to the depths of Area Zero, he and Swift would be more than happy to do so.

Upon seeing the Raging Bolt, the wild Hydreigon's Terastal Crown burst into a large array of pink sparkles, its body now coated with bright tan crystal that turned the three-pronged TERA BLAST into the GROUND-type. It took aim at the Gouging Fire, the trio of explosive blasts causing the paradox Pokémon to rear. Josh himself tumbled off the saddle, landing on his back and smacking the back of his head against the dirt. Thankfully for him, it was much softer than the nearby rock! It wouldn't take long for the ground-type dragon, Josh, and Entei to be overcome with the tendrils of sleep brought into bring from Blodeuwedd's beautiful singing.

With his bodyguard incapacitated, how would Islwyn Pryce handle the threatening Hydreigon sleeping before her?

Phew, the Hydreigon had fallen asleep, greatly reducing the danger for the time being. Josh's powerful Pokémon had also passed out. Having expended his last AWAKENING, only time would wake Entei. Time they didn't have. Reaching for two Cherish Balls on his belt, the Champion withdrew the sleeping Gouging Fire for a Walking Wake, the majestic, prehistoric Pokémon's sapphire crystal-horn gleaming in Area Zero's Terastal light. The Champion briefly cuddled the raptor-Beast's face before giving him a pat. His Pokémon obediently sat down, letting Josh board him.

His lower body obscured by purple mane, Josh called out to Islwyn. "I concur. Hop on, and Suicune and I will get us out of here as quickly as possible." Regardless of whether she would join him, the Walking Wake's tails would flick about after standing, the thermals from HYDRO STEAM propelling Champion and rider forward as fast as a real Suicune's Tailwind. His Type: Null, also boosted in speed from running with the great wind at his back, kept an eye behind them to ensure the Hydreigon wouldn't follow them out of the great cavern and onto Hoenn's mainland.