Mauville City was truly an architectural marvel; nowhere else in Hoenn did nature and technology truly come together. Argyle Park was one of the largest parks on the north side of Mauville's top level, the park having been filled from the ruins of one of the buildings Hitoshi Inoue had leveled in his attack on the Gym. It was one of the few places in the city where trees could grow naturally, without human cultivation.

As much of a symbol as the ashen Raikou had become for Josh, neither the Beast nor the RAINBOW FEATHER was near him; instead, he was astride Raikiri, his yellow Zeraora that preferred to travel on all fours, like a feral cat. While they were traveling well within city speed limits, he could tell the energetic feline really wanted to let loose. "Not yet, buddy," Josh gave the electric cat generous pets, others relaxing at the park tilting their heads toward the Gym Leader and the unusual Pokémon associated with high-level challengers. Behind him followed two large, saddled vulpine Pokémon, one of which Makoto Kurumi may have recognized.

It was hard to not recognize it, when Josh appeared at the park. Makoto remembered Raikiri's and Tsukiko's fight during the VCT, and it wasn't unusual for Kama to be watching one of the gym leader's recorded matches and races, with the Sneasler's fascination with pokemon racing.

The Ninetales and Thievul both, though Makoto was not as closely familiar with them as Raikiri, were both beauts to see - they couldn't help but admire them some, from their seat on a nearby bench.

Makoto was not the only one to recognize them, however. Tsukiko perked up at Raikiri's presence, her tails swishing with excitement. Social norms in regards to things like 'how to normally approach an acquaintance' were but a suggestion to her, as she bounded up to the Zeraora, with a couple of playful barks.

Not far behind, Ryuko and Shiro followed, the dragon-Disguise'd Eevee and Hisuian Zoroark respectively visibly curious to what had gotten the Ninetales' attention.

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Raikiri reacted to Tsukiko's barking by sharply rearing, startling the rider and slamming his paws near the ground in front of the Ninetales. "Arceus, Raikiri, what's gotten into--" he cut off, recognizing the trainer on the bench after seeing the gorgeous ice-type Pokémon that briefly brought Rime to mind.

He still needed to get another Alolan Ninetales for his Gym, didn't he?

"Oh, I think I remember you from the tournament!" Josh called out to the purple-haired individual, the way their Ninetales fought jostling his memory. "Sorry if Raikiri and I scared you!" Josh may not have been recognizable, for he was in a vastly different getup from his tournament days. This time, he was wearing an Arc Suit that made him resemble a bipedal version of the very feline he chose as a mount. Electricity arced from the paws of his suit to Raikiri's, as though the two were in perfect sync with one another.