The four settled into their seats just as the stadium—roaring moments earlier—fell into a wave of anticipatory quiet.
Phoebe leaned in, eyes wide.
"Chen Shi-ge, is the match starting? Everyone suddenly stopped talking."
"Mm. It's about to begin."
Chen Shi glanced toward the battlefield gates, already hearing the heavy machinery shifting.
Right on cue, the massive gate creaked open.
Two figures stepped into view.
One wore red-trimmed pants, half-open collar, and a confident smirk beneath his signature tuft of dark red hair—
Grimsley, Hoenn's newly appointed Dark-type Elite Four.
Beside him walked an elderly man leaning slightly on a cane—calm, unhurried, radiating quiet authority—
Moora, Hoenn's long-standing Fire-type Elite Four.
The stadium burst into thunderous cheers.
"Grimsley!"
"Moora!!"
Both men waved at the crowd, taking their places at opposite ends of the battlefield.
Phoebe tugged Chen Shi's sleeve.
"Chen Shi-ge, those two are the ones fighting, right? Who do you think will win?"
"Neither." Chen Shi answered without looking away. "It'll be a draw."
"Huh?? Why??"
Her confusion was adorable… and so naïve.
"Phoebe, the world isn't just battles. It's politics. You'll understand soon."
She blinked, clearly not understanding one bit.
The Battle Begins
A referee descended on an Aegislash, mic raised high.
"Elite Four, please prepare. Today's exhibition will be a 3-on-3 single battle."
Grimsley smirked.
"I'll be in your care, Moora-senpai."
Moora nodded.
"Begin."
The referee declared:
"The Elite Four Exhibition Match—begins now!"
A shimmering blue barrier enclosed the battlefield.
Grimsley immediately threw his first Poké Ball.
"Incineroar—go!"
Incineroar landed with a flexing roar, flames flickering around its belt.
Chen Shi raised a brow.
This Incineroar—pseudo-Elite tier, definitely not Grimsley's true ace.
Moora's first Pokémon appeared next:
Ninetales, elegant and composed, flames rippling from its tails.
Steven Stone leaned close.
"Old Chen, who wins this round?"
"Moora. Easily."
Chen Shi didn't even blink.
"Incineroar will pressure for a bit, force Ninetales to burn energy, then lose."
Lorelei and Lance exchanged surprised glances.
Round 1 — Perfectly Predictable
"Incineroar—Fake Out, then Double Kick!"
Incineroar lunged with sudden speed, landing clean hits.
Moora didn't flinch.
"Ninetales—brace, then Confuse Ray."
The fox's eerie glow hit Incineroar square in the eyes.
Steven Stone sighed.
"That's it. Match decided."
Indeed—seconds later, following self-inflicted confusion hits and a clean retaliation—Ninetales won.
Barely. But it won.
Exactly as Chen Shi said.
Phoebe stared.
"…It really happened like you said…"
Round 2 — Script on Autoplay
Steven Stone tried again.
"What about Round 2?"
"Grimsley sweeps Moora's next two with one Pokémon."
"But—"
"Politiiiics, Phoebe."
Sure enough—
Grimsley sent out Greninja.
It proceeded to:
✔ KO Ninetales
✔ KO Blaziken
✔ Then faint from exhaustion
Phoebe's jaw dropped.
"…H-How did you KNOW?!"
Steven Stone groaned.
"If I'd known this was a script, I would've stayed in Meteor Falls digging rocks."
Round 3 — The Expected Draw
The final round dragged on just long enough to please the audience.
Both Pokémon fainted simultaneously.
The stadium went wild.
The group of prodigies, however, stood up in synchronized boredom.
They were about to leave when a calm voice spoke from behind.
"If none of you are busy… I'd like to invite everyone to a meal."
Lance.
Lorelei added with a smile:
"Mind if I join?"
Chen Shi, Steven Stone, and Cynthia exchanged glances.
Phoebe simply nodded because everyone else did.
"Sure," Steven Stone said.
"Let's go."
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