Josh shook his head subtly, realizing that Giselle's expectations were that she would be flying in a cab. "Great to meet you, Giselle! I'm...actually not affiliated with the Flying Taxi business here," he admitted. "But my Pokémon can get you to Slateport all the same. They're all reliable. Hop right on!" In an effort to convince Giselle, the Pidgeot, Salamence, and Talonflame would all coo, the Talonflame radiating a refreshing warmth from her red feathers. "I think Pazuzu, Yosei, and Suzaku like you!"

While Giselle was questioning Josh, one of the other passengers, a young teenage male, excitedly took to Ares' back, rambling in awe over the black Charizard. If she wanted her choice, she had better decide before others take it from her!

It was true; her skirt looked a bit cool for the weather, and the wind might get a bit chilly once they were airborne. He noticed Giselle's stare at the Pidgeot, walking toward the large bird with her. "Pazuzu here is the first Pokémon I ever caught on my own. You'll be in great hands with him - I've known him since I was eleven years old. If it's the cold that's the issue, Regulus or Suzaku would be great choices," he gestured toward the Volcarona and Talonflame. Though he didn't reveal his age, the black-haired man appeared to be in his mid-twenties. "On top of that, we don't have to fly too high. Even just a few stories off the ground, if it makes you feel more comfortable."

A young adult, another female, boarded Josh's Kilowattrel with ease. She looked less excited than the young teen, seeming like she just wanted to get to her destination. "I've had a few challengers come to my Gym dressed like that, and most were able to manage," he tried to convince Giselle that they would be fine. It wasn't a particularly long flight to begin with!

Once Giselle had chosen her Pokémon, Josh would help her aboard if she needed it, Pazuzu crouching as low as possible when he noticed her struggling. "They'll all fly in formation if you don't give Pazuzu any commands, but if you want to try controlling him yourself, you can. The reins are for controlling direction, and you can apply pressure with your legs to go faster," Josh taught her. "Pull left or right to turn, pull back on them to ascend, and let some slack in them to descend. It's as simple as that. If you've ever flown an RC plane before, think of the reins like they're attached to your joystick."

The most difficult parts, of course, would be the takeoff and landing, which Josh's Pokémon were practiced enough to automate without a rider's input... unless they wanted it, of course. Josh himself boarded Regulus, appreciating the warm heat on the cool, late fall day. Once all six passengers were on the Pokémon, the birds and dragons took to the air, each with mighty wingbeats. GISELLE BENOIT may have been able to feel a reflection from the first one send her hair flying upward. The giant moth took off with a noisy buzz that lasted less than a second, the wings whirring in almost complete silence afterward.

Unless Giselle were to direct her mount higher, they would fly in low altitude over Route 117, giving them both a wonderful view of the Day Care facility -- and the giant plains to the north. One of the more experienced riders began wheeling Ares around, flying at a higher altitude than the rest of Josh's team while swerving back and forth. "Man, this brings back memories. One of my first flights above Hoenn was here," Josh mused, able to see a couple of pickup battles underway below them.