All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Gamefreak, Nintendo, The Pokemon Company, and Satoshi Tajiri.
[Galar region: Monostoke City]
"Whew that was a lot of stairs...!"said Lincoln as he wiped some sweat from his brow after climbing the biggest staircase he has ever climbed in his life.
After taking a few minutes to catch his breath Lincoln looked around and was amazed at what he saw as the city looked like it was a combination of steampunk culture.
All around he could see elevators made of gears as someone pressed the button and the gear turned allowing them to go from a lower level to a higher level or in reverse.
All around there was many brick walls that Lincoln assumed were a part of the structures that were here when they built the modern structures In Monostoke city.
At the far end he saw what looked like a giant stadium that look like it was at the farthest end of the city.
"Wow... just wow!"said Lincoln to himself as he was truly impressed by the complexity of the city as he had never seen anything so beautiful before in his life.
"Hey Lincoln over here!"exclaimed a female voice to which Lincoln quickly recognized it as belonging to Sonia.
"Hey Sonia!"yelled Lincoln as he ran over to her noticing that she was in front of a Pokemon center.
"I see you managed to get through the wild area quite fast which I'm quite say I'm impressed considering Leon spent days in the wild area when he first started but then again that was because of his poor sense of direction..."said Sonia who remembered having to go find Leon when he got lost.
"Yeah I was going to stay longer and try to catch him Pokemon but... I ended up getting chased around a lot."said Lincoln as he chuckled a little from his previous encounters with Pokemon in the wild area.
"Yeah that happened to me too when I first started out. I still remember the Bewear that just chase me around for no good reason."said Sonia who was not fond of that moment.
"So do you remember why you came to Monostoke city in the first place?"asked Sonia wanting to make sure Lincoln remembered.
"I'm here to sign up for the gym challenge of course."said Lincoln who clearly remembered why he was here in the first place.
"Excellent but first I suggest you stop at the Pokémon center to give your Pokémon some rest and I'm Pokémon center healer before going to the stadium to sign up. I on the other hand will do some shopping since I'm already here."said Sonia as she politely excuse their self before walking off to some of the nearby clothing stores.
"I will never understand girls and clothes but she's right I should stop at the Pokemon center."said Lincoln as he walked into the Pokemon center only to see something you did not expect as he walked up to the counter.
"Nurse Joy?!"exclaimed Lincoln with shock as he saw the very same nurse from Wedgehurst being at the Monostoke City Pokemon center.
"Yes I'm nurse Joy...oh let me guess you're a new trainer?"
"Yeah how did you know?"inquired Lincoln still wondering what nurse Joy was doing in Monostoke city.
Nurse Joy smiled before pulling out her phone and showing Lincoln the home screen photo which consisted of dozens of nurse Joy's at what appear to be a family get-together.
"You see every female member of my family is named nurse Joy since we all for some reason look alike when we're born and we continue to look alike until we grow old and even then we still look a lot alike. The nurse Joy in Wedgehurst happens to be my cousin."
"That... is really confusing."said Lincoln who wondered how their parents could tell them apart.
"You have no idea so do you need your Pokemon checked or something?"asked nurse Joy as Lincoln just handed over his pokeballs.
"Yeah and I'm sorry I was so rude earlier."
"It's okay I'm used to that reaction from new trainers it always puts a smile on my face."said nurse Joy causing Lincoln to look at her nervously.
As his Pokemon were getting healed Lincoln took a deep breath and took out his Rotom phone and started dialing in a number.
After completing the number he dialed it and waited for the other person on the other end to respond to which there was a fast click indicating that that person answered.
"...Hey Pop-pop it's Lincoln..."
-=O=-
A short while later after his Pokemon were completely healed, Lincoln made his way to the main gear elevator that led all the way to the stadium when he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
Turning around he saw it was Leon and Charizard.
"Whew I'm glad I ran into you Lincoln says I got lost along the way and had to call out Charizard to help me get to the stadium."said Leon as he wiped away some sweat from his brow.
'He really has no sense of direction does he?' thought Lincoln as he Leon, and Charizard got on to the gear elevator.
"I see that you have been growing strong or slowly Lincoln and I'm truly impressed. Keep up this pace and in no time you will be challenging me for the championship title."said Leon as he pressed the button on the elevator making the gear move.
Lincoln grabbed a handrail as although he was confident he would not fall he wasn't taking any chances so he grabbed on as tightly as he could as the gear elevator began moving taking a 180 turn before stopping at the top.
"Well I need to go speak with some Pokémon officials so I'll see you later Lincoln."said Leon as he and Charizard ran off.
"Man those Brothers really are alike."said Lincoln as he started making his way to the stadium.
As Lincoln approached the stadium he noticed that Hop was already there which didn't surprise him much since Hop was not one known for patience.
"Hey Lincoln I glad you made it they are doing last calls for registration right now."said Hop.
"Then what are we waiting for let's get inside before we end up missing the time frame!"said Lincoln as he and Hop made their way inside the sign up.
Once inside Lincoln saw a lot of trainers talking amongst one another and he saw all of them as potential rivals as each one of them wanted the same thing... a chance to take on Leon.
As Hop and Lincoln were approaching the front desk they saw that someone there was just finishing registering and for some reason Lincoln got a bad vibe from him.
He was a young man about their age and he had hair similar to a Wooloo's. His attire consisted of a long purple coat with athletic leggings and shoes and he appeared to have a dynamax band on one arm and a golden wristwatch on another.
The mysterious young man simply turned around and walked in a straight line purposely bumping into Lincoln and Hop causing both young trainers to perceive him as arrogant and a straight-out jerk.
"What a piece of work! Come on Lincoln let's register."said Hop is Lincoln gave one last dirty look to the mysterious young man before heading to the front desk to register.
"Let me see your endorsements please?"asked the man at the counter to which Lincoln and Hop gave them the letters from Leon.
"My goodness this is the first time we got an endorsement from the champion."
"Well prepare to be even more surprised cuz there's two endorsements."said Hop as he handed his endorsement letter over.
"Two at the same time? I wonder what's come over Leon this year?"said the clerk.
"I'm Hop, Leon's little brother and the next champion."said Hop as he placed his hands on his belt.
"Okay...for now think of a one to three digit number for your gym Challenger Jersey as all challengers of the gym challenge have to wear them during official Pokemon battles."said the clerk as Hop quickly said his number and the clerk wrote it down.
As for Lincoln he pondered on what number he should choose until a certain number of period in his head.
"I want my number to be 126."said Lincoln has the clerk wrote that number down.
"Why that number Lincoln?"asked Hop.
"Those numbers mean a lot to me.
[1 represents his ambition, 2 for the two people he still considers family, 6 for the six great friends he left behind]
"Okay then then let's go the the budew drop inn as I heard from Lee that's where the gym challenges will be staying tonight so follow me."said Hop as he and Lincoln walked out of the stadium.
About ten minutes later the duo arrived at a five star looking hotel that said budew drop inn and bright green letters in the front.
"Wow I got to give it to the Pokemon League they don't appear to waste any expense."said Lincoln as he had Hop made their way inside.
As they got inside the lobby of the hotel they noticed that it looked like any fancy lobby that one would expect of such a high rated hotel they also notice the giant statue of some kind of night holding a sword and shield with a blue in the sword and a red gem in the shield.
They also noticed Sonia standing in front of the statue.
"Hey Sonia what are you doing in our hotel?"asked Hop getting Sonia's attention.
"Oh hey guys I see you're going to stay here the night. As for what I'm doing here I'm studying Galar's Legends and I decided to look at the most famous legend which involves this statue. I could tell you the legend Lincoln if you like?"
"Please give me all the details Sonia since you just caught my interest."said Lincoln who was curious as to the story behind the statue.
"A long time ago a great storm known as the Darkest Day suddenly surrounded all the land of Galar. Soon this storm cause gigantic Pokemon to roam around and start destroying the land and the destruction would have continued until a young hero bearing a sword and shield put a stop to it. No one is sure what the storm was or what it has to do with dynamaxing. No one even knows much about the hero or the sword and shield he wielded."said Sonia leaving Lincoln impressed and having a lot of questions.
"Wow that must have been some sword and shield to be able to stop an entire storm."said Lincoln wondering if the sword and shield beared magic or something.
"Wow that hero sounds like Lee who is no doubt though modern version of that hero. Looks like you got your work cut out for you Sonia learning about swords,and shields, and legends and all."said Hop with a smile on his face.
"I'm sure Sonia can handle it."said Lincoln what confidence that the young researcher will get the job done.
"Gee thanks I'll do my best but for now you two should really sign in so you guys can get your rooms for the night."said Sonia.
"Yeah I'm tired and I really do want some rest."said Hop as he and Lincoln began making their way up the stairs to the main lobby to check in.
But as they walked up the stairs they noticed that a lot of the trainers they saw earlier registering for the gym challenge were unable to check in thanks to a rowdy group of... interested people arguing with the receptionist.
These individuals were dressed strangely as two were male and two were female and they appeared to be wearing purple and violet face paint. The males had Mohawks while the females had the size of their heads shaving. Thief shirts expose their stomachs and they were wearing vests that had spikes and a giant paper clip on the back.
"We can't check in with these jerks holding up the reception desk!"said one of the gym challengers
Lincoln really didn't have any patience for these jerks at this point after being chased around all day by a bunch of wild Pokemon and having a very... intense conversation with his grandfather.
"Excuse me but a lot of people want to check in!"said Lincoln as he poke the back of one of them.
"Well to bad since Team Yell will not be moving an inch until we are checked in ourselves as we don't care if we have a reservation or not!"said the group identifying themselves as Team Yell.
"Well to bad, we have a reservation and you don't so please just move along and that's not starting anything."said Lincoln trying to reason with these people.
"Those sound like fighting words so let's have a Pokemon battle that way we can teach you a lesson you little brat!"exclaimed a Team Yell grunt.
"Yeah don't think just because we're in a nice atmosphere we'll go easy on you!"said a female grunt as she decided to join her buddy in a two versus one battle.
"What's goin on Lincoln you getting in some battles without me don't think I'm going to let you go ahead that easily so I'm your partner in this doubles battle."said Hop as all four trainers pulled out their.
"Scorbunny I choose you!"
"Wooloo come on out!"
"Go Nickit!"
"Go Zigzagoon!"
All four Pokémon appeared on the battlefield as Lincoln pulled out his Pokedex to identify the Pokémon in front of him.
Pokedex: Nickit, the fox Pokemon. Aided by the soft pads on it's feet, it's silently the food stores off other Pokémon and lives off its ill-gotten gains.
Pokedex: Zigzagoon, the tiny raccoon Pokemon. It's relentlessness has it constantly running around. if it sees another Pokémon, it will purposely run into it to start a fight.
This Zigzagoon is original variant as normal Zigzagoon are pure normal types but Galarian Zigzagoon is it dark/normal type.
"A dark/normal type huh? Perfect! Scorbunny attack Zigzagoon with double kick!"ordered Lincoln and the rabbit Pokémon complied by going after Zigzagoon using the extremely super effective fighting type move against the tiny raccoon Pokemon causing it major damage.
"Zigzagoon! You will pay for that Zigzagoon use snarl!"exclaimed the Team Yell grunt.
"Dodge it!"exclaimed Lincoln and Hop as both their Pokemon avoided the attack.
"Wooloo you use double kick yourself and teach that Zigzagoon a lesson!"ordered Hop and in response the sheep Pokemon used its own double kick attack on the tiny raccoon Pokemon knocking it out.
"Zigzagoon!"
"Nickit use quick attack on that Wooloo!"ordered the female grunt and in response the fox Pokemon struck the sheep Pokemon with the attack that always hits first.
"Scorbunny double kick again!"exclaimed Lincoln and in response the rabbit Pokémon struck the fox Pokemon with double kick causing super effective damage.
"Use ember and finish this fight!"said Lincoln causing Scorbunny to smirk as it released a blast of flame from its mouth hitting the fox Pokémon knocking it out.
"Nickit!"exclaimed the Team Yell grunt as they did not expect to be defeated so easily.
Both members of Team Yell recall their Pokemon wondering how they could have lost so easily when they heard a voice call out to them.
"What are you lot doing here?!"asked someone that as soon as they turn to face her they looked at her with surprise.
"Marnie!"exclaim Team Yell.
Lincoln and Hop turned to see it was a girl about their age. She had dark hair that was in pigtails with a side of her hair cut off in a stylist fashion. Her attire consisted of a pink dress with a leather jacket over her shoulders and she appeared to have some kind of rodent like Pokemon following her.
"I know you guys are awfully interested about the other gym challengers but you really need to learn some restrain. Now off with you now before you cause any more trouble than you already done!"ordered Marnie causing Team Yell to quickly shake their heads in agreement and leave.
"Sorry about them, they're my fans and they called themselves Team Yell. They seem to really want me to win the gym challenge so they always get into trouble with other gym challenges causing him nothing but trouble and for that I apologize."said Marnie as she apologized to Lincoln and Hop.
"Oh don't worry about it. So you already have your own set of fans even though you're a gym Challenger just like us. I must say I'm really impressed."said Hop with a smile.
"Yeah that must mean you are a super strong Pokemon trainer for them to follow you around."said linking with a smile surprising Marnie.
Marnie just chuckled a little before walking away.
"Now let's sign in."said Lincoln as he and Hop walk towards the reception guess to check in.
All the while Lincoln had a feeling that he just met a potential future rival in the long run as he could sense that despite her kind words and appearance she was strong.
...And really cute.
Hey guys PrimusPilus here to give his two cents.
Phew I honestly say I'm exhausted as it's not easy writing three separate Pokemon stories at the same time.
There are times when I want to give up but I push through as I've quit a lot before in the past and I don't want to do that again... but it really isn't easy so bear with me.
Next chapter will take some time so I hope I see all of you next time as the journey continues.