All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Gamefreak, Nintendo, The Pokemon Company, and Satoshi Tajiri.
[Galar Region: Hulbury City]
Days have passed since Lincoln lost to Nessa in Hulbury stadium and ever since that day he has been training don't stop on Route five try to improve himself along with his Pokemon.
All of his Pokemon have been training hard with each other along with the wild Pokemon on route five as losing to Nessa left a bad taste in their mouth along with Lincoln and like their trainer they wanted to avenge their loss by earning victory this very day!
"I should thank you Nessa for defeating me as I was getting too overconfident by using Pokemon I barely acquired thinking I could beat you. I won't make that same mistake again! Now I will earn my second gym badge for sure!"said Lincoln as he began making his way towards Hulbury stadium.
As he was making his way to the stadium he saw a familiar looking man. Lincoln quickly recognized them as chairman Rose as even though he was wearing entirely different clothing to hide his appearance it was obvious who he was not only because of his unique hairstyle that was coming out of his hat, but also the many people around him asking for his autograph.
Chairman Rose appear to be enjoying the intention as he was filling out autographs until Oleana, his assistant stepped in front of them.
"I'm sorry but the chairman is very busy today so if it is not too much trouble can you please disperse."said Oleana as everyone looked at each other before agreeing with her.
"Sure no problem as we know how important the chairman is."
"Yeah I'm surprised he even gets a day off considering that not only is he the chairman of the Pokemon League of Galar but he is also the president of many companies."
"Yeah we understand as the chairman is an important person and he needs to do his job.
Satisfied with a few autographs and pictures they acquire the crowd quickly left. Chairman Rose meanwhile did not like this as he tried to get them to come back as he was not done with them yet.
"Oleana I understand why you did that but we need their support if we want to continue making Galar a prosperous place."said Chairman Rose as he didn't mind getting all that attention and didn't understand why Oleana ask the crowd to leave.
"Chairman well I agree with you that they support is important you must also remember that you are a very busy man and this is one of the few moments that you can actually get a breather from your busy schedule so I said yes you enjoy your free time as much as possible."said Oleana as she was worried for the chairman's health as he was a major and notorious workaholic.
Oleana knew that out of everyone in Galar, Chairman Rose loved Galar more than anyone else as he truly wanted nothing more than to make the region prosperous and that it will continue having a good future even when he is long gone. He truly believed every word that he says and wants nothing more than they'll help his home region prosper.
That is one of the reasons why Oleana respects him so much.
"Oh I know you! Your one of those trainers endorsed by Leon."said Chairman Rose as he noticed that Lincoln was watching him.
"Oh I'm surprised you remember me."said Lincoln as he was sure the chairman sees many people on his busy schedule so it was amazing that he remembered him.
"It it is not every day that the champion himself endorses a challenger so I make it my business to remember you Lincoln. How are you doing on your journey?"
"I'm actually heading over to the stadium to have a rematch with Nessa. I thought I could take her on with Pokemon I just barely acquired and she taught me a hard lesson by mopping the floor with me."said Lincoln as adult it was embarrassing for him to admit he saw no reason to lie.
"Yes Nessa is a tough gym leader and it's certainly good she taught you that lesson. We must never become too arrogant young man as before you know it, you could be stuck in an endless loop of defeats until you finally realize that you are the problem and not your Pokemon. My little brother experienced that at one point in his journey but he eventually overcame it and at one point was champion before Leon."said Chairman Rose as Lincoln looked at him with wide eyes.
"Your little brother was champion at one point."
"He was also a gym leader but after a while as champion he just gave it up. Last I heard he is doing something important in the Crown Tundra that is just north of Galar but I'm making my business to leave him alone as I want him to find his own path."
"Wow... I wonder if I'll meet him one day."
"I should you warn you right now that he is quite strong and that his steel type Pokemon should never be underestimated. Anyway come meet me at this nearby restaurant after your gym battle as I want to discuss for the things with you."said the Chairman as he pointed towards the restaurant behind him which appeared to be a seafood restaurant.
"Sure no problem Chairman Rose."said Lincoln as the chairman smiled before walking away as Oleana walk towards Lincoln.
"Please come to the restaurant as soon as you're finished with your gym battle as the Chairman is a busy man and shouldn't be kept waiting."she said with her usual cold tone of voice before walking away before Lincoln had a chance to respond.
"I can't read that woman at all as she is more emotionless than Lucy."said Lincoln before deciding to shake it off as he had more important matters to attend to.
After slapping his cheeks a little Lincoln started making his way back to the path that led him to Hulbury stadium so he can challenge Nessa for a rematch!
'This time I won't let my arrogance cloud my judgment and I will win my second gym badge! I have to thank you Nessa as you taught me a very important lesson! But that doesn't mean I'm going to not try to beat you with everything I've got!' thought Lincoln as he made his way to the entrance of the stadium!
-=O=-
"I see that you have returned for a rematch Lincoln."said Nessa as Lincoln walking to the stadium after completing the trial once again which was much easier this time thanks to memory from the last time.
"Yeah... I got to thank you Nessa."
"For what?"asked Nessa she was confused.
"For knocking me off my high horse. I got so used to victory that I actually thought I could beat a gym leader with Pokemon I barely captured and didn't have a chance to bond with yet. Because of my humiliating defeat I learned from my mistakes and I'm never going to make that mistake again."said Lincoln who felt like that Nessa beating him would help him out with his future prospects.
"I'm glad to see you that you learn from your mistake. I could tell that Toxel and Farfetch'd were both pokémon you barely captured so I was a little surprised that you decided to use them for a Pokemon battle, especially with a gym leader. I'm glad you learned from your mistakes and let's see if you do better next time or just like last time you will be taken down by the wave."said Nessa as she pulled out her pokeball.
Lincoln pulled out his PokeBall as well as the referee took his position.
"This will be a 3 on 3 Pokemon battle rematch between Nessa the gym leader and Lincoln Loud the Challenger. Just like last time the bow will be over when one side's Pokemon are unable to battle. Additionally only the Challenger will be allowed to substitute. With these rules out of the way let the battle begin!"said the referee as Nessa and Lincoln tossed out their first Pokemon.
"Goldeen come on out!"
"Corvisquire I choose you!"
Both Pokemon appeared on the field of battle as the raven pokémon stared down the goldfish Pokemon! Corvisquire hasn't forgotten its last encounter with the goldfish Pokemon and he fully intends to do better than last time!
"Goldeen horn attack!"ordered Nessa as Goldeen charge towards Corvisquire.
"I may have been caught off guard by that speed last time but not this time! Corvisquire spin around Goldeen and attack it from behind with pluck!"ordered Lincoln as the raven Pokemon flew towards Goldeen!
Like Lincoln order just before Corvisquire was struck with horn attack he spun around the goldfish Pokemon last minute and struck Goldeen from behind successfully with pluck! This cause damage to the goldfish Pokemon as it fell back.
"Golden water pulse!"ordered Nessa as Goldeen created a concentrated ball of water just an inch off of it's horn and threw it at Corvisquire!
Corvisquire was struck but he quickly recovered as he flew in.
"Corvisquire use scary face!"ordered Lincoln as Corvisquire glared at Goldeen with a wicked glare, causing the goldfish Pokemon to lose nerve while at the same time lowering its speed!
"I see you taught your Pokemon a new move. Goldeen use horn attack!"ordered Nessa as Goldeen charge towards Corvisquire, only thanks to scary face it's speed was much slower.
"Corvisquire pluck!"ordered Lincoln as the raven Pokemon rammed straight into the goldfish Pokemon like a speeding missile, causing Goldeen damage as it fell back.
"Whirlpool!"ordered Nessa as Goldeen created a giant whirlpool around its horn and then tossed it at Corvisquire!
"Corvisquire dive into the eye of the world pool spinning while using pluck!"ordered Lincoln as Corvisquire dude as his trainer commanded.
Corvisquire flew up high into the air before descending towards the whirlpool while spinning around like a drill! As soon as the raven pokémon made contact with the, the water type attack immediately dissipated confusing both Nessa and Goldeen.
"What?!"asked Nessa as she was not expecting that.
"Now!"ordered Lincoln as Corvisquire change direction and successfully struck Goldeen with its spinning pluck attack.
Goldeen quickly fell to the floor revealing that it had been knocked out from the attack as Corvisquire stop spinning and flew back to its trainer's side!
"Goldeen is unable to battle! Which means this part of the battle belongs to Lincoln and Corvisquire!"declared the referee as Nessa recalled her Pokemon back to its pokeball.
"You did a fantastic job out there Goldeen."said Nessa she put the pokeball away and looked at Lincoln.
"I'm certainly impressed as I've never seen a spinning pluck attack before."
"I've been training for the last several days on Route five just for a chance to beat you. I'm not the same trainer that you beat several days ago as now you're facing a new Lincoln!"said Lincoln as Nessa smile that she pulled out her next pokeball.
"Arrokuda come on out!"said Nessa as the rush Pokemon appeared on the battlefield.
Lincoln didn't recognize the Pokemon in front of him as Nessa didn't use this Pokemon in their last battle so he pulled out his pokédex to identify the Pokemon in front of him.
Pokedex: Arrokuda, the rush Pokemon. If it sees any movement around it, this Pokemon charges for it straight away, leading with its sharply pointed jaw. It's very proud of that jaw.
"This Pokemon's body seems to be based around speed. If what the Pokedex says it's true this this Pokemon is built for speedy combat."said Lincoln has he had a feeling that this Pokemon was going to be trouble.
"Arrokuda use Aqua Jet!"ordered Nessa as the rush Pokemon quickly became covered with a stream of water as it struck Corvisquire with amazing speed.
'I knew it! This Pokemon is even faster is even faster than Goldeen so I have to be careful." thought Lincoln as the Raven Pokemon recovered.
"Corvisquire use pluck!"ordered Lincoln as Corvisquire charge towards Arrokuda.
"Arrokuda use fury attack!"ordered Nessa as Arrokuda charged towards Corvisquire with its amazing speed before it started ramming its jaw as Corvisquire over and over again.
This cause the raven Pokemon to lose concentration and it ultimately stopped it's pluck attack.
"Corvisquire scary face!"ordered Lincoln as Corvisquire glare that Arrokuda, lowering it's speed but it did not stop the rush Pokemon from striking.
"Bite!"order Nessa as the rush Pokemon bit Corvisquire before tossing the Raven Pokemon to the ground!
"Corvisquire?!"said Lincoln with worry as he saw that the Raven Pokemon had been knocked out.
"Corvisquire flews unable to battle which means this part of the battle belongs to Nessa and Arrokuda!"declared the referee as Lincoln recalled Corvisquire back to his pokeball.
"You did an amazing job and now because of you we have a shot of beating that Arrokuda!"said Lincoln as he pulled out his pokeball.
"Toxel I choose you!" lsaid Lincoln as he called out the baby Pokemon to the battlefield.
"I see your using Toxel. Well I think I know what you're going to do so I'm not going to let you have a chance! Arrokuda use whirlpool!"ordered Nessa as Arrokuda created a whirlpool around its nose before it flung it at the baby pokémon.
"Toxel roll!"ordered Lincoln as the baby pokémon began rolling on its side avoiding the whirlpool attack.
"Now use tearful look"said Lincoln as Toxel looked at Arrokuda with a sad look, lowering the rush Pokemon's attack and special attack.
"Argh! Arrokuda use bite!"ordered Nessa as Arrokuda charge towards Toxel and bit into the baby Pokemon!
"Toxel nuzzel!"ordered Lincoln as the baby Pokemon rubbed its cheeks before placing one of its cheeks on Arrokuda, causing the electric type attack to flow through the rush Pokemon's body.
Arrokuda let go of Toxel as the attack was super effective and did a great deal of damage!
"Arrokuda use Aqua Jet!"
"Not this time! Toxel use nuzzle!"
Both pokémon run towards each other with Arrokuda covered in extreme of water as Toxel was rubbing its tricks to make its electricity surge! Both pokémon ran into each other the same time creating a mini explosion cloud which caused Lincoln and Nessa to cover their eyes momentarily. As soon as they felt like the dust settled they looked to see that both of their Pokemon had been knocked out at the same time.
"Toxel and Arrokuda are both unable to battle, meaning that this part of the battle is a tie!"declared the referee as both trainers recalled their Pokemon.
"Thank you Toxel. With your help there's only one more obstacle in our way to victory."
"You did a good job out there Arrokuda, leave the rest of us."
Both trainers put their pokeballs away and pulled out their last pokeballs as they both looked at each other with determined looks.
"You are been doing much better than last time."said Nessa as she was impressed Lincoln had improved so much in just a few days.
"I'm still not done as I need to get past your partner first."said Lincoln as he already knew who Nessa's final Pokemon would be.
"Your right. Drednaw come on out!"said Nessa as she tossed out her final PokeBall and released the bite pokémon onto the battlefield.
"Farfetch'd I choose you!"declared Lincoln as he tossed the wild duck Pokemon onto the battlefield.
Farfetch'd just glare that Drednaw, who was doing the same! Farfetch'd hasn't forgotten his defeat at the hands of that very Drednaw and wants to win this battle! Drednaw remembers how close he came to losing against this Farfetch'd and wants to see how it does this time!
Both of these Pokemon have been waiting for a while to face one another again and wanted to give it their all!
"Drednaw razor shell!"ordered Nessa as Drednaw produce the blade of water and swung it towards Farfetch'd.
"Farfetch'd use detect!"ordered Lincoln as the wild duck Pokemon's eyes began blowing as it easily avoided razor shell.
"I see like Corvisquire your Farfetch'd learned a new move. But detect loses its effect the longer it's used. Dreadnaw tackle!"ordered Nessa as the bite Pokemon began charging towards Farfetch'd.
"Farfetch'd use rock smash!"ordered Lincoln as the wild duck Pokemon began charging towards Drednaw.
Farfetch'd immediately jumped in the air and used its leak to strike Dreadnaw with rock smash, causing super effective damage against Dreadnaw as it was pushed back.
"Water gun!"ordered Nessa as Dreadnaw shot a stream of water from its mouth striking Farfetch'd, causing the wild duck Pokemon some damage as it was sent back to Lincoln's side of the field.
Both Dreadnaw and Farfetch'd looked at their trainer is with determined looks as both trainers quickly understood what both Pokemon were saying. That it was time to dynamax!
"I guess we have to take this battle to the next level."said Nessa as she readied her dynamax band.
"Yeah it's time we take this battle to the next level."said Lincoln as he readied his dynamax band.
Both Pokemon trainers called back their Pokemon to their pokeballs as dynamax energy flowed into their pokeballs causing them to expand! Once both pokéballs were big Lincoln and Nessa smiled as they tossed the pokeballs as hard as they could into the battlefield releasing their dynamax Pokemon onto the field.
Both giant Pokemon let out a mighty Battle cry as they were satisfied that they could take this battle of theirs to the next level!
"Farfetch'd use max knuckle!"ordered Lincoln as Farfetch'd struck Dreadnaw with its leak, increasing its attack power as the bite Pokemon felt the effects of the fighting type move.
"Dreadnaw use max geyser!"ordered Nessa as Dreadnaw fired a powerful stream of water Farfetch'd, causing the wild duck Pokemon damage as it began raining.
"Not good! With this rain watertight moves are going to be more powerful now! Farfetch'd use max darkness!"ordered Lincoln as two streams of dark energy hit Dreadnaw, causing the Pokemon's special defense to lower as Dreadnaw look like it was going to run out of steam soon.
"Dreadnaw max geyser!"ordered Nessa as Dreadnaw powered up max geyser.
"Duck and roll."ordered Lincoln as Drednaw fired max geyser!
Farfetch'd ordered the command just in time to duck as low as it could and roll around to avoid max geyser.
"Now finish this battle with max knuckle!"ordered Lincoln as Farfetch'd use the momentum if it's rolling swing it's leak as hard as it could cutting through the geyser and hitting Dreadnaw in the head.
The bite Pokemon's feet gave way to the massive amount of force as Dreadnaw guys became completely white before it began shrinking!
"Dreadnaw!"said Nessa with worry as Drednaw return back to its regular size as everyone in the stadium saw that the bite Pokemon had been knocked out.
"Dreadnaw is unable to battle! This battle ultimately belongs to Farfetch'd and Lincoln Loud the challenger!"declared the referee as Farfetch'd grinned as he returned to his regular size as Lincoln ran over and gave the wild duck Pokemon a big hug.
"We did it Farfetch'd!"said Lincoln with joy as Farfetch'd smiled as well.
Nessa on the other hand was recalling Drednaw back to its pokeball.
"You did an excellent job out there and you deserve a nice rest."said Nessa and she put away the pokeball and walked over to Lincoln.
"I'm frustrated but I cannot deny that you beat me. You improved so much from the trainer I met a few days ago. You and your Pokemon did an amazing job and you more than deserve this Water badge for your efforts."said Nessa is she in Lincoln shook hands as she gave him the Water badge.
"Yes! I just won the Water badge!"said Lincoln as he held the water badges high as he could in the air as the crowd went wild with cheers.
Lincoln smiled as his next step towards Leon has been accomplished and although there was still many steps to get to Leon, this day Lincoln managed to get one step closer towards the champion and that was all that mattered!
After the battle at Hulbury stadium and a quick trip to the Pokemon center later, Lincoln ran into Oleana who escorted him to the fancy seafood restaurant where chairman Rose was waiting for him.
To Lincoln surprise Sonia was at the restaurant as well.
"Wow I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Professor Magnolia knows Chairman Rose quite well."said Lincoln has it wasn't a big stretch to realize that the Pokemon professor of the region knows the chairman of the Pokemon League for that region as well.
"Yes I owe Professor Magnolia a lot as it is because of her research along with Oleana's research that allows trainers to dynamax battle like they do today."said Chairman Rose with a smile.
"Huh?"said Lincoln as he was confused.
"Oleana was actually the one who discovered how to harness Dynamax energy to dynamax Pokemon."said Chairman Rose as Lincoln couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Wow!"
"It really isn't anything special as if it wasn't for the chairman funny my research, dynamax battles wouldn't exist today."said Oleana as Lincoln was amazed by how humble she was despite her massive accomplishment.
"Well now that we have had a nice dinner I think it's time I should be going. Sonia give your grandmother my best regards and I hope you will one day take over her work as I see a lot of her in you."
"Thank you Chairman, but I still have a long way to go before I and the researcher at my grandmother's level. I I'm still learning and moving forward at my own pace. I know I will get there eventually but I feel like there's still something there that I need to find."said Sonia who couldn't help feel that there was a missing piece, she just didn't know what that missing piece was.
"Perhaps in regards to your research of the darkest day you should visit Hammerlocke city's vault. As Hammerlocke is one of the oldest citys in all of Galar and it's vault is home to much of Galar's rich history. With my connections I am sure I can get you into the vault without any issue."said Chairman Rose as Sonia appear to ponder on this.
"Well Hammerlocke was where the kings and queens of old called home. And it was around during the Darkest Day... thank you Chairman Rose I will happily accept your offer since you do have a point. Hammerlocke is Rich with Galar's history and its vault is the perfect place to go to investigate the Darkest Day"said Sonia who felt like the only way she was going to get answers was by looking into the history of Galar, and what better place to look than the vault that contains much of that said history.
"I am glad that you accept my offer Miss Sonia. Well I would like to continue this chat but my assistant here is telling me that I have a meeting soon and that I really need to get going."said Rose as Lincoln and Sonia noticed Oleana was whispering something into his ear.
The chairman politely excused himself as he left the restaurant in a limousine.
"Well I think I'll start the long journey Hammerlocke. See you Lincoln and I hope you do well with your battle with Kabu."said Sonia as she waved Lincoln goodbye as she left the restaurant.
"I think I'll stay the night here in Hulbury. I won't go to Monostoke city straight away as I should train a little before I face Kabu. From what I read about him he is the first real hurdle of the gym challenge as many gym challengers throughout the years have given up the gym challenge all together cuz they couldn't beat him. Guy is a veteran of pokémon battles which means he's going to be a tough opponent to beat. I a going to have to get stronger if I hope to pass him and head off to the rest of the gym challenge."said Lincoln as he was not going to make the same mistake he did with Nessa.
Kabu was a strong and experienced Pokemon trainer. If he wanted to pass him and head off to the rest of the gyms in the gym challenge he needed to get stronger. His Pokemon needed to get stronger! Lincoln and his Pokemon had to give it their all to become stronger than they were the day before if they hope to beat the ever burning man of fire!