Early the next morning, the four of them met up and headed toward the Lavaridge Gym.
All around them were people who, like them, had come from far and wide to watch the Elite King Exhibition Match.
Some were clearly dressed in clothing from other regions and must have traveled here from elsewhere.
"There are so many people!"
Pheobe looked around. She had never seen so many people before, and her nerves got the better of her as she clung tightly to Chen Shi's arm.
Beside her, Cynthia frowned almost imperceptibly, but said nothing.
Steven, however, felt quite differently. Right then, he felt as though he shouldn't be there.
For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was the odd one out.
Chen Shi slapped Pheobe's hand away. "So what if there are lots of people? Why are you grabbing me?"
"Let go!"
Pheobe immediately pouted, then turned and took Cynthia's hand instead, making a face at Chen Shi.
"Stingy! Fine, I won't hold on to you!"
Chen Shi glanced at her without saying anything.
"There really are a lot of people. Looks like this Elite King Exhibition Match has attracted plenty of attention."
Steven explained, "This is the new Elite King's first public match since taking office. It's only natural that people are interested."
Chen Shi understood what Steven meant. Put plainly, this exhibition match was meant to establish the new Elite King's authority.
It would let everyone see what this Dark-type Elite King was capable of.
Sidney and Mura probably wouldn't show their true strength. At most, they would use Pokémon that had only just reached the Elite Four level.
The result would most likely be a draw, too.
It wasn't realistic to say Sidney could defeat Mura, but if Sidney lost, the new Elite King