With how well the redhead and Buzz were running the course, Josh put Ace out of his mind. Yes, it was humiliating for him to get completely smoked. He couldn't dwell on it. Not with how dense traffic was as the white flag waved. He harely had room to drift around the opening stretch's wide but long turns, what with how much Resheph and the challenger's Milotic were constricting where his own could swim. The last thing he wanted to do was get Megalo's tail tangled up with that of another Pokémon. It was a very common way for two Pokémon to fall way behind.

Rather than try to make a move, Josh kept his hands steady on the Milotic's reins. With a breathtaking cry from his mount, the aquatic serpent aimed to turn at the same angle the Dragonair and rival Milotic did so. There were still one or two places the scaled Pokémon could make a move, and he had his sights on them. It was all about how clean his exit to the third turn would be...

Tails getting tangled up was indeed a danger of aquatic races where serpentine Pokémon were commonplace. With ERON IUNIS' DRAGONAIR and the MILOTIC piloted by Josh Devlin and Elaine Highland going three-wide down the opening stretch's long curves, anything less than synchronized turns could wind up with two, or even all three of them, hitting the outside wall hard. ARAVAN ESCHER's PRIMARINA was in the mix, too, a sudden speed burst or well-rounded turn potentially adding to the congestion.

Much to their relief, their turns were mostly synchronized with one another, though the Gym Leader's position on the inside of the course let him pass the challenger and make a move on ERON IUNIS. Not having it, the DRAGONAIR screeched loudly, glowing purple from the neck down. The dragon-type's tail became a blur, pulling away with a daring burst of EXTREME SPEED. Though they came close to scraping the outer wall on two occasions, their raw speed kept them in front of the Gym Leader. Unprepared for the wake, ARAVAN ESCHER mistimed the second turn, his PRIMARINA scraping the inner wall and falling out of contention.

With ACE SHEEKE and his FLOATZEL well on pace to break their own course record and ARAVAN ESCHER falling far behind, the four-way battle for second place became three going into the backstretch. With the DRAGONAIR exhausted from the burst of speed, one graze in the backstretch's chicane could sap the last of its stamina and cause them to crash out just before the finish line!

Prompt: The only true obstacle remaining between teams and the finish line was the track's at this point brutally familiar S-curve on the backstretch. Having an idea for how to time commands to turn would not making the tight timing needed to properly execute them any easier. Compounding the difficulty of the turn itself was the mounting pressure that if a Pokémon made a mistake and wiped out on the whiplash-inducing curve, the end of the race was so close that there was not enough real estate remaining to make a recovery! It was the Drift Highway's great equalizer; no lead was safe!

Target Number: 135 (Reaction)

Special: Any TP lost as a result of a total roll that is more than 25 beneath the Target Number is multiplied by 1.5, rounded up.

Remembering when he had raced THEO BECKETT on this course very early in his career as a full-fledged Gym Leader, the steps after the giant leap wound up being one of his favorite parts of it when he was running it with a land Pokémon. Not so much when on a flying Pokémon. To navigate it without slowing down required rhythmic yet jarring adjustments from the Pokémon, the rider largely responsible for managing the height with subtle, repeated dips. Pulling on the reins to gain height with good timing felt a lot easier than releasing them precisely to descend.

Catching his breath after the high-speed dive, Josh tried to find the timing needed, nearly scraping Mastema's sensitive underside against one of the first steps from starting his rhythm too early. The way he was tensing the reins and letting them go repeatedly looked like he was pumping a small dumbbell in his arm; to anyone not familiar with the course, it might have looked quite odd!

Lutgarde Dijkstra 's TOGEKISS steadily raised their angle of attack to serve as an air brake, cautiously reducing their speed to give them more time to reach to each small downward turn. That caution would allow ACE SHEEKE and his AERODACTYL to continue building their lead, although at significant risk. Risk that would rear its ugly presence as the redhead overcorrected from nearly flying too high against the low ceiling.

Just as ERON IUNIS' BEEDRILL passed the challenger, a screech left the rock-type's mouth as its talons scraped the ground course below, sparks flying all over beneath the duo. Even insectile reaction time could not get the buzzing insect out of the way, the duo's wings violently beating against one another dozens of times per second. By the time the two were able to recover, both TOGEKISS and ARAVAN ESCHER's NOIVERN whooshed past the former frontrunners.

In the aftermath of the collision, the challenger had a comfortable lead, but one Josh Devlin and his TOGEKISS were rapidly eating into. Were they able to round the tightest corner on the course cleanly, Lutgarde Dijkstra would be in wonderful shape going into the final lap!

Prompt: The course's single sharpest curve was upon them: it was a full U-turn on a fairly narrow section of the track only five wide. After the high speed descent of the huge downhill, braking of some kind would almost certainly be required for most Pokémon to navigate it without trouble. It was better than the alternative of pinching or scraping one's leg against the outer wall! A right-angle left turn very shortly followed, testing the racers' abilities to rapidly change direction as the home stretch loomed.

Target Number: 140 (Reaction)

Special: None

Were? He was pretty sure Hideo meant "are". He was the Monster in the Woods to Eris, and she was the child that needed to be saved. Blinded by the prospect of achieving his goal, he failed to consider every possible option. Hideo was right. The Perish Song didn't have to happen. The Volatile, in his corrupted state, had instilled the notion that Josh was a soldier. Had he forgotten that Navy told him that his path was not that of a Warrior? His path was that of a Signer. An Envoy.

Had Matias' influence and ambition still lingered upon him?

If he truly wanted to be a Champion, he needed to shred that ambition. Little did he know that his ambition, the hint of evil deep within his mind, would be purged in a funeral pyre in Kyle's waning days.

Hideo's final question was scathing. "Strictly speaking, you are correct. I have fulfilled the requirements for your Badge... barely. For most of my challengers, it's pretty cut and dry whether to award them a Badge, regardless of what place they finish the race in. Occasionally, I'll get the one that requires a judgment call."

The Gym Leader's words would echo in Josh's mind after disqualifying robin coello for the use of a Shadow Pokémon. He had long since associated the closed-hearted Pokémon purely as weapons of war. Pokémon one could not truly bond with. Pokémon that, in his eyes, were better off not existing. Ultimately, it would be that prejudice that caused Josh to hastily disqualify Robin.

"It was just as Navy , Greyson Connors , and Melody Miro had tried to teach me in Ever Grande. Speed is but one tool in a trainer's toolbox." When one traveled at the speed of lightning, one would miss important details. "That was why I lost to them. And it was why I failed to get the best ending. It makes the whole situation... murky. Borderline. Ultimately, I feel the answer to your question is no, I have not. But I leave it up to your discretion."

Today was the first time that all of Josh's Pokémon were gathered in one place. In his nearly two-year career as Mauville City's Gym Leader, there had not once been a complete assembly of his army. The first would be a special occasion. One not only of mourning, but of transience. Wearing his red Pyroar Sygna Suit, Josh stood atop the podium normally used to celebrate the accolades of trainers who succeed in his racing challenge.

Today, he would make a heavy-hearted announcement in front of his entire squad of Pokémon. Until now, only a few of his Pokémon knew of what he was about to say. Only the ones that had done battle with Rhea Armistead at Sootopolis. He felt especially bad for the eleven Pyroar lining the front row, their halters gleaming as the sun crawled across the sky.

"Ever since returning from Sootopolis, I have been dreading making this revelation to all of you," Josh said with a trembling voice, Swift the Sacred Ash Raikou reflecting his trepidation with beady eyes. "Aslan, the leader of our pride, has been killed in action. We were unable to recover his body to have a proper funeral." Before he could say any more, the entire Pyroar pride cut him off with roars of anguish, despair, and even anger. Even the normally stoic eyes of Josh's Iron Crown, Sigmund, dripped with digital tears.

One scout was enough; Josh reined Ecco to a stop and let the Palafin tread water while Hermes gathered intel about the ship, its crew, and any potential weaponry the duo would be up against. "I don't think it's as random as you think," he nodded toward the blue-haired psychic trainer. "Like I said, they might be trying to backdoor their way into the Ultra Sea."

While the Raichu was gone, Josh took the opportunity to catch up with Zachary. "So what have you been up to outside work?"

With how narrow the staircase was, Josh could not remain mounted on Swift. Instead, he and the ashen Beast wandered the first floor, seeing statues of his mount and the Raikou's two siblings. "I never did get to hop on Entei's back before Kyle perished," he said as he admired the details of the masonry. It was clear that the Pokémon he revered were sacred to the people of Ecruteak, and the region as a whole.

"But that was his decision to make, not mine. I wonder if Pon would enjoy the speed of a Beast at all. Something to look forward to when I'm feeling better, maybe. I'll keep you posted on my rehab... because I don't want to do it until I've got full motion and strength in my arm again." It would be a glorious day, one he longed for. "The best day of my life was when Kyle dropped by my Gym on my birthday and let me hop on Swift for the first time. The first and only time I've been able to command him to floor it. It's something I want to be able to relive."

Sliding down from the Raikou's back, Josh followed Pon upstairs. "It is a maze, but I've been up here once or twice with the Gym Leader before. I don't know if I told you this, but I have five Gym Badges. If being a Gym Leader myself didn't keep me so busy, I'd come back here and finish my Gym Challenge here, too. Even though I've heard Olivine and Blackthorn Gyms are pretty rough." Of course, now that he was a Champion, he expected he would have little trouble defeating the remaining three Gyms... even without his rare and powerful Pokémon.

"Just a moment, Abby," Shelly responded, keyboard clacking filling the mostly silent air as a teenage trainer slid off a Thievul's back just outside the sliding-glass doors, he and the blue-haired ARAVAN ESCHER heading toward the first-floor locker room. "Found you. Right through the doors to my left. Follow the signs to Sector 1. You'll see the Gym Leader near the Twist Road starting line."

Provided Absinthe Blackwood was able to follow the ample signage to her destination, she would find Josh atop a Boltund that looked positively enormous for its species, the electric dog greeting her with a singular bark. "Abby?" Josh asked. "Gym Leader Devlin or Champion Devlin, but please, call me Josh. Excited to learn some saddle basics?"

"Roger, Captain," Josh replied. "Heading deeper in. Will keep you updated, over." Like any Elite Ranger, he had come prepared in the event his victims were stuck on a sinking platform or island. As it turned out, that was exactly where they were: on a sinking platform whose bridge was now too steep to simply walk across. Riding down the uneven bridge would be simple enough, the Walking Wake clambering and eventually sliding down onto the sinking platform. The married couple and their son were frightened of the paradox Pokémon.

"It's okay! Suicune doesn't mean any harm," Josh assured the family. "Elite Ranger Devlin. I'm working with Captain annalise henderson to make sure you three get back to Dewford safely. Withdraw all your Pokémon - mine will give you a ride down to the surface." The Gym Leader dismounted and withdrew his Walking Wake, trying to limit the weight on the sinking platform. Once all the victims' Pokémon had been withdrawn, Josh sent out Ulysses, Kairi, and Fumiko, the Vaporeon and Samurott crouching to let the mother, father, and son aboard.

That was a lot easier than Josh thought it would be. It didn't seem like too dangerous of a job either, which was a relief. "Thanks," he answered, noticing Eris keeping her distance from Josh. "Sounds simple enough. Did you bring a water Pokémon? If you didn't, Kopala and my other water Pokémon can prioritize clearing the corridors farthest below the surface." Perhaps a divide and conquer approach would be best, even if the younger one did have a water Pokémon.

Regardless of how the two were to get to their destination, Josh would ask Eris from Kopala's back, "I saw you in a strange and surreal dream not long ago... and it all felt so real." Little did he know that such a memory had been erased from the child's mind...

Josh smiled upon being showered with compliments from his acquaintance rapidly growing friend. "I may be the Master of Faster, but I'm also the people's Gym Leader," he added, tooting his own horn just a bit. Perhaps one day, he would host an under-18 racing league at his Gym.

The Champion figured she had before, if she was a Ranger. "Dragonite is a splendid choice of flying mount, if you can handle their Extreme Speed," he mused, remembering the battles he's had with Tiamat, his own Dragonite. "Would love to see what you two are capable of one day."

Josh had first been taken aback by Airi stating she didn't have her Swampert's saddle, taking for granted that he and his Pokémon treated their own saddles like clothing. Such was the quality of the work that went into any products made by Verdanturf Leather and Saddle. They were so comfortable that Josh didn't remove them from his Pokémon except for events that required them, such as sanctioned Pokémon battles. "You're strong to ride your Swampert bareback," Josh complimented. "With such slick skin underwater, I can't even hold onto mine without one." Instead of going faster, the Lanturn dove underwater and resurfaced, giving Josh a brief but cool bath.

Self-care was something Josh was slowly improving upon in Kyle's absence. He needed to be if he wanted to be a proper Champion and not a martyr. At the mention of wanting to encounter a legendary Pokémon, a sly smile appeared on Josh's face as he plucked the RAINBOW FEATHER from his shirt and twiddled with it, holding Blitz's reins with just his off hand. "They're truly majestic, and I know quite a few people that have befriended one. You'll run into one sooner than later."

Perhaps she would run into Josh's first.

"Correct," Josh clarified as he watched the Ranger appeal to a wandering Slurpuff's sweet tooth. She sure was talented at befriending Pokémon outside combat - a valuable skill for Rangers to have. Josh didn't test his too much, what with him being involved primarily in rescue operations. Even so, he had on more than one occasion befriended a wild Pokémon to ride when the rest of his team was spent. "You're not required to go through the Minor League, but many Gym Leaders were promoted up from it. I was one of them... after only six weeks."

All four of Josh's Pyroar loosed NOBLE ROARS upon the nimble fighter. Not even they could get the Pokémon to back down. "A dose of Guard Special?" he asked no one in particular, keeping his distance from the battle. He didn't let that distract him long, though. "An opening, Silverio! Get the couple and treat them while I hold them off!"

That opening would be short-lived, as the Blaziken disappeared into four trailing images that confused all but Aslan, the pride leader. The Shiny Pyroar, trained in high speed better than the other members of his pride, pounced upon the other with an acrobatic BOUNCE -- right into a destructive, four-pronged SKY UPPERCUT enabled by its DOUBLE TEAM. All four lions bellowed in agony, their facial fur stained red from the precise fighting-type attacks that felled them all in a single attack.

Grumbling, Josh had little choice. Plucking the RAINBOW FEATHER from his vest, he swiftly drew the four strokes of the Sign, heralding the visit of an ashen, monochrome legendary Pokémon.

"Patch them up and go! Now!" the Gym Leader ordered.

Zachary was right. It would be for the best to wait, given their condition. It remained to be seen how much the war would delay that meeting. Delay how much they could recover.

For war did not wait.

"I will say this," Josh warned Zachary. "If you continue to pursue becoming a Gym Leader, do so knowing that you will be expected to participate in the war in some capacity. That doesn't necessarily mean fighting on the front lines, but you will have a role. My role in the war will be running supply lines. You will need to find yours."

As the afternoon sun sank deeper in the sky, the two had wandered back to Mauville Hills' west entrance, a second-floor staff entrance to his Gym visible straight ahead. "And you can start by applying for the Minor League. If you get accepted, I'll be there to perform an inspection!" With a thumbs-up from the city's Gym Leader, the two parted ways...