An Elite Four Exhibition Match

Chen Shi suddenly smiled.

"The bigger the rewards, the stronger the opponents. That's not a bad thing."

"I'd like to see just how good the geniuses from the other regions really are."

Steven immediately felt he had found a kindred spirit. He thought exactly the same way.

"You're right. The bigger the rewards, the stronger the opponents."

The two exchanged a smile, then sipped their tea.

"This tea really is excellent. I left in such a hurry last time that I didn't get to take any with me. This time, I won't be shy about asking."

Chen Shi waved a hand. "No problem."

Then Steven added, "Lance over in Kanto has been making quite a stir lately."

"I heard he's already become a League Senior Investigator."

Chen Shi was a little surprised. Was Doduo really that formidable?

As Chen Shi recalled, becoming a League Senior Investigator required strength at the Senior Elite King level.

Officer Jenny Muko, whom he had met before, was a League Senior Investigator.

Officer Jenny Muko’s Arcanine had also reached the late Senior Elite King level.

It seemed Doduo now had at least one Senior Elite King Pokémon. That put a little pressure on Chen Shi.

It looked like Dreepy needed more training after all.

Chen Shi replied, "I've heard of Lance too. Apparently, he's from the Dragon Tamer family and possesses Dragon Tamer Power. He's very strong."

Steven's eyes grew serious as well. Lance was certainly a formidable opponent.

Chen Shi said, "There's also someone named Lorelei at Silver Academy. I've heard she's really good too, no worse than us."

"Then there's the Battle Goddess over in Sinnoh, and Diantha from the Kalos Region."

"And in the Galar region, which was recently incorporated into League territory, there's someone named Leon. I hear he hasn't lost a single match since his debut."

A spark of eagerness flashed in Steven's eyes. The chance to compete against so many geniuses appealed to him every bit as much as stones did.

Steven could already imagine the spectacle of the Pokémon World Championships.

Chen Shi continued, "Don't think that's everyone. There are plenty of hidden geniuses too."

"For instance, a while ago, my grandfather had me bring a girl out of Mt. Pyre."

"She's pretty strong too. She's out traveling now."

"Mt. Pyre?" Steven exclaimed, then hurriedly asked, "She came from the Ghost Mystery Realm?"

"That's right."

Chen Shi nodded.

Steven shook his head with a sigh. "There really are so many hidden geniuses in this world."

"It took a Pokémon World Championships to bring them all out of the woodwork."

Chen Shi's expression turned a little odd as a half-formed idea suddenly crossed his mind.

"Steven, could you do me a favor?"

Steven grew serious. "Just say the word, as long as it's something I can do."

Chen Shi had done him such a huge favor, and Steven had been struggling to think of a way to thank him.

Now that Chen Shi was asking for his help, how could he refuse?

Chen Shi waved a hand. "You don't have to be so solemn. It's nothing major."

"It's about that girl I brought out of Mt. Pyre. She's lived in the Ghost Mystery Realm all her life and been far too sheltered."

"As for her personality, calling her innocent would be a compliment."

"Her grandparents asked me to look after her and help her develop an accurate understanding of the world."

"So I'd like you to find a few people to scam her out of some money and let her learn a hard lesson."

Steven stared at Chen Shi in disbelief, his expression practically asking whether he was joking.

Her grandparents asked you to take care of her, and this is how you do it?

You actually want me to find people to scam her?

Chen Shi noticed Steven's strange expression too and gave an awkward cough.

"Don't worry. Her guardians agreed to it."

"Then there's no problem." Steven nodded and agreed.

"Give me the girl's photo and address later. I'll take care of it."

Chen Shi immediately smiled, silently apologizing to Pheobe.

Pheobe, don't blame your Brother Chen Shi for treating you like this.

I'm doing this for your own good.

Who knows? Once you find out someday, you might even thank me.

"Oh, right." Steven suddenly remembered something.

"There's another reason I came this time."

"There's an Elite Four exhibition match in three days. The newly appointed Dark-type Elite King, Sidney, is facing the veteran Fire-type Elite King, Mura."

"It's in Lavaridge Town."

"I wanted to ask whether you're interested. We could go watch together."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Shi agreed.

It was time to take his Pokémon out for a change.

Constant training wasn't the answer. Dreepy still had far too little battle experience.

Besides, Chen Shi wanted to visit Meteor Falls. He might even find a few Mega Stones.

And wasn't there a stone-digging fanatic sitting right in front of him?

If he could coax Steven into going, they might make some unexpected discoveries.

With that in mind, Chen Shi said, "Sure, we can go watch. I've been wanting to visit Meteor Falls anyway."

"I've been interested in stones lately too."

"I heard meteorites often fall there, so I'd like to see whether there are any nice-looking stones."

The moment stones came up, Steven perked up and took the bait.

"Really?"

"Let's go digging together, then. I haven't got much else to do lately anyway."

"Everyone at the company is busy with fossil revival right now, so I finally have some time off. There's nothing better than going to Meteor Falls to dig for stones."

Chen Shi was inwardly delighted. He had never expected Steven to agree so easily.

He had thought it would take some effort.

Still, this worked out well. He had let Steven know about his recent interest in certain stones, laying some groundwork for Mega Evolution.

That way, working with Steven on it later wouldn't seem so abrupt.

"No problem. How about we go today?"

"I just need to fetch my Pokémon and let my grandparents know."

"That would be perfect." Steven agreed immediately.

When it came to digging for stones, Steven always showed exceptional enthusiasm.

"Wait here, then. I'll be right back."

Steven nodded slightly. "Go ahead."

Without another word, Chen Shi headed straight for Back Mountain.

He hadn't seen Leafeon and Swampert in quite a while, so this was a good chance to take them out for some fun.

Chen Shi soon arrived at Back Mountain and found Dreepy first.

"Drakloak, how about I take you out to gain some experience?"

"Want to come?"

Dreepy had been wondering what Little Shi wanted. He hadn't expected him to offer to take him out to gain experience.

This was just... awesome!

"Kya!"

Dreepy immediately frolicked with delight, circling Chen Shi and rubbing his head against him.

"All right, all right!"

Chen Shi then turned to Salamence. "Big Sister Dragon, I'm taking Dreepy out to gain some experience. He hasn't fought nearly enough battles."

Salamence nodded slightly. Drakloak really did have too little battle experience, and that would hinder his development in the long run.

"Oh, Big Sister Dragon, do you know where Sceptile and Swampert are?"

Salamence thought for a moment, then raised her head and let out a roar toward the sky.

Chen Shi knew she was calling the other Pokémon here.

Before long, Sceptile suddenly appeared.

Seeing no sign of trouble around them, Sceptile gave Chen Shi a puzzled look.

Chen Shi said, "Sceptile, I'd like to take Leafeon out to gain some experience. Training alone won't do any good."

Understanding dawned on Sceptile, who bounded away again, presumably to fetch Leafeon.

A moment later, Swampert's family of three arrived as well.

Chen Shi immediately explained what he wanted. Swampert and Empoleon had no objections, leaving the young Swampert behind before departing.

"Lachi~"

Swampert walked over to Chen Shi, scratched his head, and gave a goofy smile.

Chen Shi glanced at Swampert's stats and was stunned.

This big fellow was already level 55.

It seemed his mother had really put him through his paces.

"Vee~"

Just then, Leafeon's cry rang out.

Chen Shi looked over in delight and saw a Leafeon racing toward him before leaping straight into his arms.

"Leafeon, long time no see!"

"Vee~"

Leafeon was just as happy, affectionately nuzzling Chen Shi's chin.

Miss Cynthia