Elaine's effort, and Josh's understand that she and Nephthys did the best they could in the moment, tilted the balanced scales. Though she did not answer the Champion's question directly, her stated rationale was enough to convince him that she had learned Mauville Gym's precepts of trusting one's instincts. Even if that meant casting aside conventional logic.

"That's exactly what I wanted you to see, Elaine," Josh replied with a smile, giving the detective a pat on the shoulder if he allowed it. "Especially with the war heating up. It will put you in situations where you don't have time to think. Where you have to make a judgment call. Where you have to persevere. Where you have to look the odds in the face and overcome them. That kind of attitude is exactly what the Pokémon League looks for."

Exhaling, Josh opened his fist and presented Elaine with her earned prize. "This is the official Hoenn League Quick Badge. You and your Milotic shall be enshrined in the Gym's list of Qualified Riders as champions. Wear it with pride." Not many overcame the physical demands of controlling a running, swimming, or flying Pokémon at high speed for minutes at a time; many who took the challenge overprepared their Pokémon at their own expense, lacking the strength, dexterity, and stamina to keep control.

With that, the challenge came to a close. The Gym Leader whistled for Craggro, his hulking Hisuian Arcanine, the rock-type quick to heed his call. "Need a lift back to the office? I'm sure we could both use showers."

If it wasn't obvious Josh's blood was boiling as Swift trotted onto MATIAS SILPH 's ranch that late fall afternoon, the Beast himself was fired up, his black thundercloud crackling white with electricity. Only his SYGNA SUIT kept him safe, Raikiri powering it and keeping him from being zapped. Alongside the Zeraora and Raikou was also Saber, the Champion's Manectric that was the last Pokémon standing during his title match with kyle lopez .

As the trio of ultrafast electric Pokémon trotted toward Matias, a furious look on the Raikou's face, Josh scowled in the Volatile's direction. "Morning," he greeted the sitting Elite Four member. Not good morning. Just morning. "I'm sure you know why I'm here."

PURCHASING/REDEEMING

welcome to the poké mart!

1X Level Tutor (The Wilds reward) - Verte the Flygon learns Earthquake over Bulldoze

1X Arc Sygna Suit (500 PD)

TOTAL

do come again!

500 PD

Materials:
Zap Plate (Battle of Sootopolis)
Electric Tera Share (The Great Chasm of Hoenn)
Dynamax Candy (Poison Patron 2)

New Additions:
Synced Partner: Zeraora
New theme: ADVENTURER

It has been a long time since Josh had been to the Crimson Sun Restaurant and Bar. The premier Alto Maren restaurant in Lavaridge Town, he had invited Navy to a private room in the rear. It wasn't cheap, but they had important things to discuss over some of the best pasta and pizza in the entire region. Plus, with business at the Gym picking up again thanks to the cooler weather, it was looking like he would be able to justify an expensive dinner to help with the person most responsible for the success of not only his Champion Assessment, but his bond with Swift.

The scintillating RAINBOW FEATHER reflecting sunlight shining through the room's sole open window, Josh put his phone away after checking one last time for urgent messages. "Thanks for coming; I know this is a trip for you. The last time I was here was with MATIAS SILPH , about two years ago... when I first learned he was an Avatar. He was the first person I told that I wanted to be Raikou's Avatar. How... long it's been."

While he waited for their server to arrive and presumably take their drink order, Josh got down to business. "The fall of Petalburg and Captain Shalin Nariya 's disappearance is a huge loss for the League. The surviving Petalburg Rangers have put it on Rustboro Captain Elise Calcifet and I to take care of her Pokémon, but I'm not sure what to do. She's got dozens of them, and I don't think I have room for that many more at Mauville Gym."

The reaction from Miyako Noguchi didn't go unnoticed. These Pokémon were still a handful, and even Josh didn't fully understand Suicune the Walking Wake. "Great to meet you, Miyako," the racer offeres an awkward-looking handshake, given his height above the ground while sitting on the Walking Wake. "He's a Hoennian Suicune," Josh introduced the water and dragon Pokémon. "Kind of like how Meowth and Vulpix have multiple forms based on their environment, for instance."

As the steam built, Josh answered the investigator's question. "I'm headed to the Sky Pillar to go dragon riding. It's the first time I've been able to do so since the Ultra Megalopolis incident." He wanted to forget about that Arceus-forsaken prison, but he couldn't. The horrors within would be etched within his mind for the rest of time. "Saddle up with me!" Josh scooted forward. As he did, though, Suicune sounded a majestic but stern-sounding cry. "It's okay, Suicune. It's just to the Sky Pillar and back. I'm sure she wouldn't ask if she didn't have a water Pokémon of her own."

With great reluctance, the Walking Wake crouched to let the excited-seeming Miyako sit behind Josh. "I'm still trying to understand Suicune. He's a legendary Pokémon, after all!" Oh, how misguided the Champion was...

"You're welcome!" Josh returned the awkward appreciation. "It's rare for Flareon to grow that big, so yours is pretty valuable to those in my circle." Clyde walked toward AISLING O'CONNOR 's Flareon and introduced himself to them while the rest of Josh's Eeveelutions scattered about, Kairi taking a dip in the shallows and splashing water toward her friends on the shore. Blinky's fur sparked as Kairi soaked her, electrolyzing the water that had fallen onto her quills.

Once she was dry, Blinky jogged toward Josh, the Jolteon barking expectantly. "I'll be with you shortly! There's only one of me and eight of you," he answered the electric-type with a little frustration in his tone. Turning toward Aisling, Josh answered her question. "This is one of my playgrounds for my Pokémon. It's wide open and is more biodiverse than my Gym grounds. I go riding here pretty frequently. I don't think I mentioned it directly, but I used to be a professional Pokémon racer before I took over the Gym."

THREAD TRACKER

W.A.T.E.R. OPS

THREAD LIST: 

pkmn-hoenn.boards.net/thread/46320/wops-josh-razz-1 with Raziel Beckett
pkmn-hoenn.boards.net/thread/46302/wops-josh-lutgarde-5 with Lutgarde Dijkstra
pkmn-hoenn.boards.net/thread/46349/wops-josh-eris-4 with Eris Halla
pkmn-hoenn.boards.net/thread/46322/wops-josh-annalise-3 with annalise henderson
pkmn-hoenn.boards.net/thread/46347/wops-josh-silverio-2 with silverio delfino

REWARDS OBTAINED: 

1x Any Evolution
2x TM/TR
1x Prem. Gacha Ticket
1x Tera Shard (TBD type)
1x Paradox Pokémon (Great Tusk)

Having lost one of his most precious dragon Pokémon to the hateful jayden cross , he wanted to exact vengeance upon the ruinous Avatar. In his state, he could not; without full motion in his arm, he would only be at a disadvantage. He needed to stretch his arm's limits more, and progress with his rehab showed him that he was more than capable of flying on his own, except with his very fastest and most agile aerial mounts.

What would have been a joyride any other day had purpose. Having successfully flown at high speed with Miyako Noguchi once, he was ready for his first real thrill ride since escaping the Megalopolan prison. One that would make Isaac Merlo and Resheph proud.

Standing next to Josh and Vespa Baskerville was Ao, his Roaring Moon, the two on the northeast docks of Pacifidlog Town. "Ready to fly, Vespa?" Josh asked, giving her room to hop onto the dragon paradox if she didn't have a flying mount of her own to get to the Sky Pillar. "That's where we'll be headed. There's no better playground in Hoenn for dragon Pokémon."