Reassemble the Elite Four

[BettyNewbie]

Did Lance himself appear at the Dragon's Den and challenge you or something ?_? Forgive me if I'm in error about this (HGSS is fuzzy in my head at this point). I don't remember Lance himself making an appearance there, though I fully admit I can be wrong in that regard. I don't claim that Lance is a superficial character or anything, I'm just saying he doesn't make any appearances in the main storyline until you challenge him in the E4.

Yes, he does, albeit only after beating him as the Champion. (And, only in HGSS, not GSC.)

And, your last statement is only true for RBY/FRLG, but that's because Lance is an E4 member in those games. No E4 member has ever appeared in the main storyline.