Josh, too, had a vendetta against the Loyal Three. Though he was not in Petalburg, he had been imprisoned by them. The young man sat astride Swift's thundercloud, his purring sounding like distant rumbles of thunder. For a legendary Pokémon, even if he was just an ashen replica of the one that fought in the Johto invasion, he was as friendly as any other domesticated large cat. After being haunted with Kanto's and Johto's past alongside Eva Morales , he had his doubts a living Raikou would be so willing to cuddle up with him... or more importantly, bear his weight across Hoenn's fields.

Josh grabbed the right leg of his shorts (it was barely warm enough to wear them) and introduced himself for the broadcast. "Josh Devlin, Mauville's Master of Faster on the scene!" He pulled back the right leg to reveal a giant scar across his knee from when Okidogi brutally whipped him with a Toxic Chain for his insubordination. "This is what the Lousy Three did to me last time," he provided context. "Swift here is gonna give him just as big a scar, and one that comes at him so fast he won't know what's coming!"

Once the recording was over, Josh properly greeted the Littleroot Gym Leader. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? How have you and Uxie been? Swift is the Raikou's name, if you didn't catch it from before. He's the same one Kyle had before he died. The one made of ash." Once the coast was clear, Josh would also let Aleph out of his Poké Ball, the Type: Null's expression remaining decidedly neutral. "Aleph's gonna help us smash these effigies, too." The chimeric Pokémon's distinct cry would have been enough to make the fellow Leader aware of the more controlled normal-type's presence.

The Rotomdex made sure to get a good look at the scar on Josh's leg; it'd show just what kind of danger the Loyal Three were. And it made sure to get a nice shot of the Raikou accompanying Josh - they were absolutely going to pay the Loyal Three back for everything they did.

Though things were straight to business once the recording was off - and Uxie was immediately floating around the ashy Raikou, observing it through closed eyes.

"Been doing alright," Hideo answered. "Mostly just been getting Littleroot and Oldale ready for Rocket…and also trying to keep the Lousy Three away."

Petalburg's loss still stung in heart, and his own wounds had only recently healed up enough that he was cleared to go out on the field - which didn't stop him from doing so beforehand. "Heard about you getting that Raikou some time ago…guess you got what you wanted, huh?"

Though it seemed off from Uxie's descriptions - not that Hideo knew what Raikou was supposed to act like.

The release of the Type:Null, however, made the boy flinch; he did indeed know that cry the moment he heard it. "You…you have it under control, right?" he asked, the discomfort clear in his voice. "I know during that Gym Leader meeting, you said you didn't…"

And he knew how an out-of-control Type:Null could behave.

But Uxie still didn't break away from its observations - did it think it would be alright? Or did it simply not care, more caught in its curiosity?

Though soon enough, the cries of other Pokemon drew his attention - namely, of a group of Joltiks. Their way of announcing they'd found something, and bringing it over; Hideo's Joltiks were getting good at finding these effigies.

Though of course, it was their Galvantula father that actually carried the effigy over. Once it was close enough, the Rotomdex would start its recording again, Hideo quickly assuming a more positive appearance.

"Well, looks like the Lousy Three can't hide anything from the Five Founders! Good job, guys!"

The Joltiks jumped in joy, squeaking about.

"And now, we'll leave the actual breaking to our special guest! Take it away, Josh!"

The Galvantula and Joltiks quickly scattered, nowhere near the effigy - or the Type:Null.

Josh Devlin

Josh had enjoyed Swift's companionship for what was it, going on seven months now? Had it really been so long already? And he hadn't spoken to Hideo all this time... some Gym Leader he was, not communicating with his colleagues. "No kidding," the Master of Faster nodded, rubbing his big scar. "Prepping Mauville for Rocket has been a handful, too. There was a Dynamax attack on the city's northwestern district not long ago, and if that's a best-case scenario, I don't think it's safe for the city have a Power Spot. I've been trying to get ahold of illeana reyes to talk about getting it removed, but she won't respond to my messages." Hitoshi Inoue 's attack, while it only took a few lives, injured many more, and disrupted the lives of countless more. As far as he was aware, this was the assassin acting independently.

A coordinated attack on the most densely populated city in Hoenn would be far worse.

"Yes, and then some," Josh answered, the last half of his sentence distorted from Swift loosing a low, deep, and prideful purr that reflected the rider's inner excitement. The sound was that of distant thunder. His monochrome appearance was perhaps the difference from Uxie's descriptions. "He was a blessing from the Great One, Ho-oh -- the last one given before Kyle's death. He's not a real Raikou, though. He's a memory of the Raikou that died in Kanto... and shaped by my inner self. He's... Raikou exactly as I want him to be."

Eyes shifted toward Aleph. Hideo seemed defensive around the Type: Null, and understandably so. "A lot has changed since then," Josh assured him, "both about me and about Aleph here. I've taken a lot of what you said during the Gym Challenge to heart. What Greyson Connors said. What Navy said. What Melody Miro said. I know I'm a Champion already, but one day when your Gym is slow, I would like to retry your challenge. To show you how I've changed for the better. I know our relationship has been rocky, but I truly want to be friends with my colleagues. All of that change has helped me understand Aleph. He and I still aren't exactly friendly, but it seems like he's a lot more willing to tolerate me now." Aleph still wouldn't permit Josh to sit in his saddle, but he would now permit others to do so, particularly in times of need.

Once the camera was rolling again, Josh debated whether he wanted Aleph or Swift to shatter Okidogi's effigy. While he felt the Type: Null would be better for the task, he decided that because of the publicity aspect, it would be best for Hoenn to see the ashen Beast in action. The rider dismounted from the construct Raikou, still worried about his arm thumping if he went too fast from a standstill. "Swift, QUICK ATTACK!"

The electric legendary's purr turned into a roar, flexing backward before lunging into a sprint too fast for the untrained eye to follow. The clay effigy broke into pieces upon impact, Josh happy to see the Okidogi idol reduced to the elements that formed it.

"Lucky for me, Littleroot doesn't have a Power Spot, so we haven't had to deal with that." There was a silent "yet" at the end, considering an artificial Power Spot conveniently popped up on Route 102 right after Rocket took Petalburg. There was always the chance one was gonna pop up in 101 or Littleroot if Oldale fell.

So for now, he only had to deal with a guy trying to assassinate him in the middle of the night.

Uxie continued to float around the ashy Raikou as Josh spoke, even poking it to see if it felt like a real Raikou - however that was supposed to feel.

"So it's also how you wanted it to be," Hideo muttered, the concern on his face clear. "Well, as long as you really did get what you wanted."

He'd leave it at that, for he was more concerned by the Type:Null - who thankfully, wasn't attacking him or any of his Pokemon. His own would've had to be on a tight leash to stay that composed.

Hideo nodded along as Josh pleaded his case, but to him, there's a difference between saying one's changed, and actually changing. It had been half a year since that Gym Challenge that went sour, but he'd have to see that Josh had truly changed before he believed it.

"As long as there's an opening, you can try again," was the answer Hideo gave.

And that's as much as he gave before the camera was rolling again. Josh's Raikou smashed through the effigy with ease. Hideo applauded the Raikou's efforts.

"I could barely hear that coming!" Hideo exclaimed, the disdain he'd had before completely hidden.

"And I could barely see that!" The Rotomdex added. "I think we're gonna need to try that one again!"

"Then we'd need another effigy, 'cause it sounds like the pieces sped outta here!"

Hideo let out a laugh, his Rotomdex joining in too. It was almost enough to drown out the noise of heavy footsteps and a shaking chain.

Seems like someone wasn't happy with his constant vandalism…

Josh Devlin

While the Raikou's body had the appearance of fur, like one would expect of a giant tiger Pokémon, it had the complexion of ash. Uxie would be able to detect two clear sets of indentations in the dark gray thundercloud that floated above Swift's back. One, close to the rear of the cloud's flat part, covered the three inner tufts. The other group, only present on the outer two, was closer to the front. The front ones were smaller than the back, roughly in the shape of human fingers. The psychic-type may have been able to infer that Josh rode the Beast regularly, using the outer two segments of thundercloud like reins.

"It's certainly a golden ending to the Champion Assessment and my redemption with the League," Josh answered, cuddling with and embracing the ashen creature. The facsimile of the legendary Pokémon looked as tame as most of his other ones -- tame enough for even children to interact with. "I just wish he didn't come at the cost of Kyle's life. Other than that, it couldn't have turned out any better."

But now was not the time for reminiscing. The Rotomdex would not get the chance to witness the Beast's hair-raising speed a second time, for a familiar TOXIC CHAINED Pokémon tromped toward Josh, determined to drag his escaped prisoner back to what he could only presume was their new jail. Aleph stood between his trainer and the Okidogi, threatening to slice and dice with his CRUSH CLAWS.

"Might be a bit late for that, Hideo," Josh replied, raising his guard in sync with his legendary partner.

Uxie's head was tilted slightly, a small frown on its face, as if perplexed by what it was touching. It was clear Josh rode it quite often; it truly did seem to be as Josh desired it to be. Quietly, it sent a telepathic message to the ashy Raikou, asking it a simple question:

CAN YOU THINK?

Kyle's loss had been significant to Hideo - Hoenn having lost its Champion. It was a role Hideo once aspired to, and losing him so suddenly…even if Hideo didn't know him personally, it still hurt.

Though it did mean he was now living with the new Champion - Melody Miro . He still wasn't sure how to feel about that, but he'd heard she was doing alright in her new position.

Okidogi's arrival spelled an end to that small period of mourning, Uxie quickly retreating behind the Rotomdex as it got a shot of the Type:Null jumping right at Okidogi, a Crush Claw landing swiftly.

Yet the Okidogi was no slouch, the chain around its neck intercepting the attack, softening the blow as the dog sneered at the Type:Null.

But Uxie wasn't going to let its trainer's tormenter have an easy time; even if it had to stay out of the view - and therefore, away from Okidogi - it could still attack from afar, a beam of Mystical Power fired right at Okidogi's stupid face.

Josh Devlin

Uxie would not get a response back. The Pokémon of Knowledge would be able to ascertain that the electric-type was a mere vestige of the Raikou that presumably fell in the attempted Rocket invasion of Johto. Were the psychic-type to pass that information along to Hideo Kino , he, too, would be enlightened to the truth of Swift's nature and the way the two "bonded".

Swift could indeed not think for himself; he was a reflection of Josh's subconscious. His inner self. How he truly felt. When Josh's two selves were in sync with one another, their true power manifested. When they were not, Josh would lose control of his Raikou.

As significant as Kyle's loss was to Hideo, Josh had taken it far harder. The late Top Champion had been a mentor figure from the day they met to the day that his Patron blessed Josh in the waning hours of their Avatar's life. The day Josh had inherited the ashen Raikou and became a Champion, he had left with more answers than questions. Many questions he had answered on his own as he spent more time with the memory of his favorite Pokémon.

Uxie was the star of the show, their MYSTICAL POWER a deadly antivenom to Okidogi. If the psychic-type's attack could sting that much, it showed just how strong a true legendary Pokémon was. Perhaps one day, Josh's outer and inner selves could sync to the point where his Raikou could match that force.

As much pain as the psychic attack left the muscular Pokémon in, Okidogi didn't get to be the Warden of the Weak by being anything but viscerally strong. Their foe began to whip its TOXIC CHAIN around in a BRUTAL SWING that sought to crush all it smashed into. If not for Swift's intervention with a REFLECTIVE barrier that absorbed much of the whistling chain's force.

Uxie's disappointment was clear to see from the frown on its face.

When Uxie shared what it'd learned about Josh's Raikou, the boy was…not surprised. Josh's fanaticism was apparent ever since his Minor League challenge, and that he'd go as far as to try and kill Eris Halla over potential information on Raikou made it clear his desire was anything but healthy.

Hideo had to wonder what the real Raikou would think of this replica, if Josh ever got the chance to encounter it.

As strong as Uxie could be, Okidogi wasn't one to go down easy, and a single attack was far from enough to take it down.

"Looks like no matter how many times we beat it down," Hideo said, facing his Rotomdex, "Okidogi keeps coming back for more! Psychic attacks are super super effective, but we gotta give'em more to take'em down!"

The Okidogi's swinging chain was caught on camera, that Brutal Swing coming in hard. A timely Reflect softened the blow, but an attack like that still had to hurt.

But it did give enough time for Uxie to prepare another attack; several portals appeared around Okidogi, Future Vision beams striking it from different angles.

"And remember, the Lousy Three never play fair, so we never need to play fair against them!"

Josh Devlin

Since his Champion Assessment, Josh had changed. A lot. He still had that aura of intensity about him, but he had become much more down to earth. He had turned from vitriolic toward Team Rocket to much more moderate, his hatred only directed at the syndicate's decision makers. He would prove so in his next Gym challenge... if the League would allow it.

While Swift held the fort down, the ashen speedster flinched with every harsh hit against the dome of electricity keeping Josh, Aleph, and anyone beneath the dome safe. "Ready a TRI ATTACK, Aleph!" the Gym Leader ordered the Type: Null, small red, yellow, and blue beams forming from the three forward-facing spikes on his retainer. The moment the barrier fell, Swift wincing from the BRUTAL SWING's might, the Normal-type let fly with the three-pronged energy attack.

"Exactly!" Josh cheered for the recording. "And Swift here has a hidden weapon that might seem unfair when you see it in action! Let's go -- QUICK ATTACK!" A thunderous purr preceded the electric feline vanishing from sight, clawing back and forth across Okidogi like a medieval jouster. The Thousand-Cut Joust, his Gym's hidden art when he was a Minor Leaguer and before he had mastered Z-Power, came to mind.

The purpose of the weak attack was twofold. First, to confuse Okidogi with the rapid strikes. Second, to build up speed for the most destructive attack the ashen Raikou could manifest in his current form. An attack that capitalized on Josh's love of speed in its purest form.

With the squishy humans safely secured, the Type:Null had let out a Tri-Attack, timed for when the Reflect ended, each beam squarely striking Okidogi - who barely seemed to care for the attack, practically shrugging it off.

But it was the Raikou's Quick Attack that truly got the Okidogi's attention - and reaction, the attack forcing it to stumble back a short distance.

Were it a single attack, the Okidogi might have taken the chance to retaliate, perhaps even try to attach a chain onto this ashy replica. But the Quick Attacks kept coming, one after the other, the Okidogi forced to make sure it didn't get scratched on any particularly-vital areas.

Uxie merely watched as the technique was implemented - both just to observe, as well to avoid risking disrupting the technique. Though it may have been disappointed by the Raikou's lack of agency, the synergy did mean such techniques would be easy to learn and pull off.

And the technique was getting caught on Rotomdex - as well as it could, considering the Raikou's speed.

Josh Devlin

Through his Champion Assessment, Josh had learned that speed was both a mighty offensive tool and a steadfast defense. Every cut from Swift's claws left Okidogi progressively defensive, unable to retaliate with its chain, lest it risk being trampled at breakneck pace. The knowledge had made Josh, previously reliant on a single trick to win battles, incredibly deadly with his newly-developed understanding of his talent. He wondered what Greyson Connors would think of him now, battling with speed as the center of his strategy, but having multiple ways to take advantage of it now.

That buildup came to a crescendo, Swift having chained enough of the speed-increasing attacks together to reach the highest velocity he could under Josh's control. One more art would come in due time. One that would prove a true challenge for him to rein in. But this was not that time. Now was the time for the Raikou to unleash an electric barrage stronger than any attack the Beast was capable of under Kyle's command. It was an attack that symbolized everything Josh loved about Raikou, getting down to the very essence of the Sacred Ash Raikou as the trainer wielded him.

"ELECTRO BALL, Swift!"

The tiger circled Okidogi, almost looking like a distant planet's rings from how fast he ran. All the while, electrical arcs from Swift's crown, creating a whirlwind of charged spheres that flew toward the strongest of the Loyal Three at truly enigmatic speeds. Each rocked the air with a miniature shockwave from the sheer velocity the Raikou reached, almost sounding like a gunshot when it left the black, reflective headpiece.

The Okidogi could tell this was absolutely not in its favor - and that sticking around wasn't the best plan; the ashy Raikou and Type:Null were enough trouble on their own - facing off both at once was a problem. And Uxie had barely done anything, still hanging back with Hideo and Josh, so even if it got past those first two threats, it had a Lake Trio member to contend with.

Death would be an inconvenience - but better to avoid that pain.

The Okidogi let out a loud whistle as Raikou encircled it, one that immediately caught Uxie's attention. Uxie tried to ready a Future Sight, to find out what the dog had planned and to stop it, but Uxie was too late; as the whirlwind of Electro Balls enveloped the Dog, there was a sudden shift - an Ally Switch as visibility dwindled.

And inside that whirlwind wasn't Okidogi - it was a Claydol, a Toxic Chain wrapped around its large neck. The Electro Balls found a new mark - one that cared not for electricity.

All the while, a cackling could be heard in the distance - Okidogi's cackling. It seems it didn't come here unprepared.

A truth that become more evident as a flurry of Bullet Seeds were shot at Hideo - deflected off of Uxie's well-timed Protect. The Rotomdex turned to find the source, a Hisuian Lilligant that also bore a Toxic Chain.

"Ah crap," Hideo muttered. Reinforcements had arrived, and now Uxie was telling him it couldn't see Okidogi anymore.

Josh Devlin

ALLY SWITCH. A gambit Josh had employed with several of his Pokémon. Powerful as his legendary partner was, without his signature Z-Move, there was little the Beast could do against a Claydol. Not without being at full power, anyway.

"Swift, fall back!" Josh cried as EARTH POWER rumbled all around the feline in a wide area, sending multi-shaded ash flying into the air. Not wanting to risk further injury to his precious vessel, the Gym Leader raised the RAINBOW FEATHER, Swift's ashes scattering to the winds. He had other powerful Pokémon with him, joining the Type: Null would be a mighty-looking Walking Wake. "Suicune, let's go!" he cried, wondering if Hideo had picked up on the subtle distinctions between the cries of the paradox Pokémon and the legendary Pokémon Josh named his after. "SUNNY DAY!"

The red spikes atop Suicune's purple fur glowed, the clouds parting for bright sunlight that made Josh, and perhaps Hideo, sweat. The strange creature's forehead crystal glowed brightly, PROTOSYNTHESIS raising his already high speed to surreal values. The sunlight would also amplify the burning prong of Aleph's long-distance TRI-ATTACK intended to singe the ground-type from within. "Hideo! If you've got a fire Pokémon, use it!"