Disclaimer: We don't own Loud House or Pokemon. All rights to Loud House belong to Nickelodeon. All rights to Pokemon belong to Nintendo and Game Freak. All rights to the "It's (Not) Your Fault" Loud House comic goes to JaviSuzumiya on DeviantArt. Credit for the story idea goes to SuperSonicBros123.
Lincoln vs. Paul
Lincoln's group were in the Oreburgh Mine, training up their Pokemon.
Lincoln's Monferno learned Flame Wheel, his Staravia learned Endeavor, his Hisuian Zorua learned Bitter Malice, and his Shieldon learned Take Down.
Luna's Geodude learned Rock Throw and Smackdown, and her Turtwig learned Leafage, Growth, and Razor Leaf.
Clyde's Ralts learned Psybeam, and his Psyduck learned Disable and Zen Headbutt.
Sam's Prinplup learned Bubblebeam, her Kricketune learned Sing which she liked, her Zubat learned Poison Fang, and her Onix learned Curse.
Stella was busy training her Budew; as she does, her Budew begins to glow.
"Hey, what's wrong with Budew, Lincoln?" asked Stella, getting Lincoln's attention; he looks at Budew and smiles.
"She's evolving." said Lincoln.
"You mean she's turning into a different Pokemon?" asked Stella.
"Exactly." said Lincoln. Everyone gathered to watch as Budew began to change shape. When the glowing stopped, Budew now had slender arms and long pointy legs, a leafy poncho covering both sides of her body, the top of her head resembled a green crown, and a rose was on each end of her arms, one was red and the other was blue.
"What's Budew now?" asked Stella. Lincoln takes out his pokedex and points it at Stella's newly evolved Budew.
"Roselia, the Thorn Pokemon, and the evolved form of Budew. The beautiful flowers on its arms have toxic thorns. Don't even think about picking those flowers." said Lincoln's pokedex.
"According to this, when she evolved, she learned Poison Sting." said Lincoln. "And she also knows Mega Drain, Leech Seed, and Magical Leaf."
"She's so beautiful!" said Stella as she hugs her new Roselia. "She will really help me in Pokemon Contests."
"Who's ready to head back?" asked Lincoln.
"Yeah, I think we've done enough for today." said Luna. Everyone returns their Pokemon to their pokeballs then exit the mine and start walking back to Sandgem Town, with Stella and Lincoln holding hands as they do, which Luna makes sure to record.
After everyone got through Oreburgh Gate, they were heading down Route 203 when they heard some noise coming from nearby.
"What's that?" asked Lincoln. They all go over to some nearby bushes and look over them to see Paul and his Elekid, battling a wild Starly.
"Oh, great; it's that guy again." said Stella.
"Elekid, use Thunder Punch!" said Paul. Elekid charges at the Starly with a fist that was coated with electricity and punches it, sending it flying into a tree, unconscious. Paul just looks at the down Pokemon before he and Elekid start walking away.
"Hey, Paul!" said Lincoln, getting Paul's attention.
"What are you doing here?" asked Paul with a frown.
"My sister, friends, and I were coming back from training in the Oreburgh Mine when we heard the battling going on." said Lincoln.
"Oh." said Paul in a nonchalant voice.
"Are you training also?" asked Clyde.
"A bit." said Paul. "But the Pokemon here are too weak to be any real workout."
"So, what are you going to do now?" asked Lincoln.
"Not that it's any of your business; but I'm gonna go to Eterna City to challenge the gym there." said Paul. "I'm going to assume that you'll do the same thing, not that it matters to me."
"Don't need to give my bro that attitude, dude." said Luna.
"What she said." said Sam.
"Whatever." said Paul with a scoff.
"Have your Pokemon gotten any stronger?" asked Lincoln.
"Yeah." said Paul.
"How about we have a Pokemon battle?" asked Lincoln.
"Why would I battle a weakling like you?" Paul replied.
"Hey! Lincoln is no weakling when it comes to his Pokemon!" said Stella.
"Yeah, what are you; afraid?" asked Luna, making Paul frown.
"Fine." said Paul. "I'm only doing this because it might be a decent warm up for Eterna City."
A minute later, Lincoln and Paul were standing across from each other on a large open field while Luna, Sam, Clyde, and Stella stand off to the side.
"How many Pokemon are we using?" asked Lincoln.
"I don't feel like wasting a lot of my time with you, so we'll do three each." said Paul.
"That's fine with me." said Lincoln.
"I'll act as official." said Clyde as he steps forward. "This is a trainer battle between Lincoln Loud and Paul; each trainer will use three Pokemon, whoever knocks out all their opponent's Pokemon will be the winner."
Paul and Lincoln each take out a pokeball, as they do, Paul notices that Lincoln's pokeball looked a little different.
"Why does your pokeball have a latch on it, and why is part of it made of wood?" asked Paul.
"This is a very old model of pokeball." said Lincoln. "In fact, it was the first kind of pokeball ever made."
"I'm here for a battle, not a history lesson." said Paul. He throws his pokeball, releasing his Machop; Lincoln throws his, releasing a Shieldon.
"Okay, use Shadow Sneak!" said Lincoln. Shieldon's shadow extends forward and goes behind Machop, it rises up and hits it.
"How can a Shieldon know Shadow Sneak?" asked Paul with surprise. "Machop, use Low Kick!" Machop runs at Shieldon and tries kicking it, but to its and Paul's surprise, the attack just goes right through him.
"Shieldon, use Snarl!" said Lincoln. Shieldon snarls, releasing dark sound waves that hit Machop, not doing a lot of damage, but the attack did weaken its attack power.
"Use Karate Chop, and this time hit it!" said Paul. Machop runs at Shieldon and brings down an overhead chop onto Shieldon, but like with its last attack, the chop went right through him. "What is going on?!"
"Use Swift!" said Lincoln. Shieldon's face plate glows and stars shoot out of it, hitting Machop repeatedly.
"Machop, try using Knock Off and see if that does anything!" said Paul. Machop swings the back of his hand at Shieldon, hitting him and doing super effective damage, he suddenly turns into Zorua, surprising Paul. "That's not a Shieldon!"
"Looks like Zorua's secret is out." said Luna.
"That's a Zorua?" asked Paul. "Aren't those usually a different color or is that a shiny one?
"Modern day Zoruas are black, but this is a Hisuian Zorua." said Lincoln.
"Hisuian Zorua?" replied Paul. Lincoln then explains how his Zorua came out of a Time Distortion a while ago.
"And just so you know, a Hisuian Zorua is part ghost type." said Lincoln.
"So that's why Machop's first two moves didn't work on it." said Paul. "But now I know what I'm dealing with."
"Zorua, use Bitter Malice!" said Lincoln. Zorua's body flares with purple ethereal energy, making a large pool of it appear under Machop and consumes it; when it dies down, Machop was covered in frost and shivering.
"What happened to Machop?" asked Luna.
"I don't know." said Clyde. "I never heard of this condition in Pokemon School."
"I may have underestimated your Pokemon's strength, but I won't lose!" said Paul. "Machop, use Knock Off again!" Machop hits Zorua with another backhand, doing super effective damage, but not as much as Paul expected it to; Machop suddenly takes a bit of damage.
"Dudes, what's up with Machop?" asked Luna.
"Maybe Professor Rowan will have answers?" suggested Sam.
"Zorua, use Swift!" said Lincoln. Zorua does a midair somersault that releases another barrage of stars that hits Machop and knock it out.
"Machop is unable to battle. Zorua is the winner." said Clyde.
"Way to go, Zorua!" said Lincoln, making Zorua smile and wag her tail. Paul growls as he returns his Machop to its pokeball.
"Pathetic." said Paul, making Lincoln frown.
"Hey, don't talk to your Pokemon like that!" said Lincoln.
"Yeah, that's not cool, dude." said Luna.
"It's not its fault neither of you knew about Zorua being part ghost from the start and that she was one." said Stella.
"Whatever." said Paul. He puts Machop's pokeball away and pulls out another one. "Murkrow, stand by for battle!" He throws the pokeball and releases a black, bird-like Pokemon. Sam pulls out her pokedex and points it at the Pokemon.
"Murkrow, the Darkness Pokemon. It appears near travelers to lure them into deep forests. It is said to bring misfortune." said Sam's pokedex.
"I guess running into Paul must be the misfortune." said Stella, making everyone but Paul chuckle while he growls.
"Murkrow, Wing Attack!" said Paul. Murkrow flies at Zorua and strikes her with her wing, knocking her to the ground; she struggles to get up.
"Are you okay, Zorua?" asked Lincoln; Zoruna nods in response. "Okay, use Swift!" Zorua releases stars from her body and they hit Murkrow.
"Murkrow, Night Shade!" said Paul. Murkrow fires a crimson beam of energy from its eyes, and it hits Zorua, knocking it out.
"Zorua is unable to battle. Murkrow wins the match." said Clyde.
"Not bad." Paul says to Murkrow.
"Poor Zorua." said Stella.
"So not cool." said Luna.
"It wasn't supposed to be." replied Paul. Lincoln returns Zorua to her pokeball.
"You were great out there, Zorua." said Lincoln.
"Praising your Pokemon for failing; pathetic." said Paul. Lincoln frowns while putting Zorua's pokeball away and pulling out another one.
"Go, Shieldon!" said Lincoln, throwing Shieldon's pokeball and releasing him. "This time, Shieldon's for real. Okay, Shieldon, use Take Down!" Shieldon charges at Murkrow and rams it, knocking it back; Shieldon flinches in pain from the recoil damage caused by Take Down.
"Murkrow, Night Shade!" said Paul. Murkrow fires another crimson beam of energy at Shieldon.
"Shieldon, use Protect!" said Lincoln. A green force field appeared around Shieldon, blocking Murkrow's Night Shade. "Now use Rock Tomb!" Shieldon begins to glow white; gray rocks appeared above Murkrow and they fall on it, dealing super effective damage, and lowering its speed.
"Night Shade!" said Paul. Murkrow fires another crimson beam of energy from its eyes, and it hits Shieldon, damaging him.
"Tackle!" said Lincoln. Shieldon charges at Murkrow and rams it, knocking it to the ground with swirly eyes.
"Murkrow is unable to battle. Shieldon wins the match." said Clyde.
"Good job, Shieldon." said Lincoln.
"Go, Lincoln!" cheered Sam.
"You're doing great, little bro." said Luna. Paul returns Murkrow to its pokeball.
"Disgraceful." said Paul, making Lincoln frown. Paul puts Murkrow's pokeball away. "I'll admit, your Shieldon has gotten stronger since the first time I saw it." He pulls another pokeball out of his pockt. "But let's see it handle this Pokemon; Elekid, stand by for battle!" He throws the pokeball and releases his Elekid. "Elekid, use Brick Break!" Elekid runs at Shieldon and strikes him with one of its forearms, dealing super effective damage to him.
"Shieldon, use Rock Tomb!" said Lincoln. Shieldon glows white and gray rocks appear above Elekid and fall on it, dealing damage and lowering its speed.
"Elekid, use Thunder Punch!" said Paul. Elekid's hand becomes surrounded by electricity and it punches Shieldon with it, damaging him; he begins twitching.
"Looks like Shieldon's paralyzed." said Sam.
"Shieldon, try using Take Down!" said Lincoln. Unfortunately, paralysis kicks in, stopping Shieldon from attacking.
"Elekid, use Brick Break!" said Paul. Elekid jumps at Shieldon and strikes him with its forearm, knocking Shieldon out.
"Shieldon is unable to battle. Elekid wins the match." said Clyde.
"Don't give up, Lincoln!" said Stella.
"You can do it!" said Sam. Lincoln nods and returns Shieldon to his pokeball.
"You did well, Shieldon." said Lincoln.
"Instead of praising it, you should just get rid of it." said Paul.
"No way; he'll get stronger with more training." replied Lincoln. He puts Shieldon's pokeball away and pulls out another one. "Go, Monferno!" He throws Monferno's pokeball and releases him.
"So, is that your strongest Pokemon?" asked Paul.
"He's also my first Pokemon." Lincoln replied.
"Whatever." said Paul.
"Monferno, use Taunt!" said Lincoln. Monferno starts making faces at Elekid while slapping his butt at him also; Elekid started to get mad.
"Why would you use a stupid move like that?" asked Paul.
"Because I know that your Elekid knows Protect; Taunt forces the Pokemon it's used on to only use attack moves." said Lincoln.
"So, you used Taunt to make it so my Elekid can't use Protect for a while." said Paul. "I have to admit that's a good plan."
"That's why he calls himself 'The Man with the Plan'." said Clyde.
"Well, I hope he plans on losing." said Paul. "Elekid, use Thunder Wave!" Elekid releases a blast of static electricity that washes over Monferno, making him start to twitch.
"Monferno's paralyzed!" said Clyde.
"That won't stop us!" said Lincoln. "Monferno, use Power-Up Punch!" Monferno manages to fight through paralysis and hits Elekid with an energy-coated fist; a surge of energy rises up from Monferno.
"Power-Up Punch increases the attack power of the Pokemon that used it." said Clyde.
"Using a move that damages the enemy and powers himself up?" asked Paul. "I have to admit I respect that strategy."
"It takes more than strength alone to win a battle." said Lincoln. "What good is power without the knowledge to use it properly."
"I suppose there is wisdom to those words." said Paul. "Elekid, use Swift!" Elekid does an uppercut through the air, releasing a barrage of stars that hit Monferno.
"Monferno, use Mach Punch!" said Lincoln. Monferno tries to attack, but paralysis kicks in, stopping him.
"Elekid, use Shock Wave!" said Paul. Elekid releases a jolt of blue electrcity at Monferno, hitting him.
"Lincoln, you better do something!" said Stella.
"Monferno, try using Mach Punch again!" said Lincoln. This time Monferno fights through paralysis and lands a fast punch on Elekid.
"Elekid, use Thunder Punch again!" said Paul. Elekid runs at Monferno and hits him with another electricity-coated fist; Monferno drops to one knee.
"Are you okay, Monferno?" asked Lincoln with concern.
"Why should you care about your Pokemon when it's losing?" asked Paul.
"Because he's my friend!" said Lincoln.
"How pathetic." said Paul with a scoff. Monferno growls as he gets to his feet; a large aura of red energy flares out of him, surprising everyone.
"What's with Monferno?!" asked Stella.
"I... I think that's his Blaze ability!" said Lincoln.
"Wicked, dude!" said Sam.
"Monferno, use Flame Wheel!" said Lincoln. Monferno yells as he does a fiery, rolling somersault towards Elekid.
"Elekid, use Thunder Punch one more time!" said Paul. Elekid runs at the incoming Monferno with another electricity-coated fist; both attacks collide and try to overcome each other; suddenly, the clashing energies explode, creating a shockwave that forces everyone to shield their eyes.
"Dudes, this is intense!" said Luna.
"Yeah!" said Clyde. When the smoke clears, everyone looks to see Monferno and Elekid both lying on the ground, unconscious.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle. It's a draw." said Clyde. Lincoln and Paul could only look in shock at the scene in front of them.
"What now?" asked Lincoln. Paul just shrugs as he returns his Elekid to its pokeball, prompting Lincoln to do the same with his Monferno.
Ten minutes later at the Jubilife Pokemon Center, Lincoln was sitting at a table with his friends and Luna, with Stella sitting next to him; waiting while his Pokemon get treated.
"That was some battle." said Sam.
"I'll say." said Stella.
"I gotta admit that Paul is tough." said Lincoln.
"Better watch out for him, bro." said Luna.
"I plan on being ready in case we have a rematch." said Lincoln.
"Now that's a good strategy." Paul's voice says from behind him, making everyone look to see Paul standing there.
"What do you want?" asked Stella.
"I'm only here to get my Pokemon treated." said Paul.
"What do you think of my bro now, dude?" asked Luna. Paul just looks away.
"I'll admit he's tougher than I thought." said Paul. "At least I know more about his tactics and Pokemon."
"And I know more about yours." said Lincoln.
"You better get stronger." said Paul. "I don't want any excuses from you when I crush your team when we battle next time."
"You know I will." said Lincoln. Paul just smirks and walks away.
"You really should be ready for him, buddy." said Clyde.
"I will." said Lincoln. Just then, a pair of hands covers his eyes.
"Guess who." a familiar voice says from behind him.
"Hi, Dawn." said Lincoln. The hands are lifted off his eyes, letting him look back to see Dawn smiling.
"You guessed right. Here's your prize." said Dawn before kissing Lincoln on the cheek, making him blush, and Stella growl.
"Don't kiss my boyfriend." said Stella with a frown, making Dawn glare back at her.
"So, what are you all doing here?" asked Dawn. Lincoln then tells her about his battle with Paul and how it ended.
"It was intense." said Luna.
"How are your Pokemon?" asked Dawn as she sits next to Lincoln.
"They'll be fine." said Lincoln.
"What are you doing here, Dawn?" asked Clyde. Dawn smiles as she takes out a pokeball from her bag and tosses it, releasing a Piplup.
"You got a Piplup?" asked Sam.
"Yep." said Dawn. "I talked to Dad about letting me travel with you when I do Pokemon Contests and he was okay with it since I won't be alone. Piplup was at the lab, and Professor Rowan let me have him."
"That's great!" said Sam.
"I'll train up my Piplup for a bit before I try to do my first Pokemon Contest." said Dawn.
"Good idea." said Lincoln. After a while, Lincoln's Pokemon were fully healed and returned to him. When they left the Pokemon Center, they see Paul outside with his Machop out; they all watch as he drops Machop's pokeball to the ground and stomps down on it, crushing it, shocking everyone.
"You're out of here." said Paul, making Machop recoil.
"Hey, what are you doing?" asked Lincoln.
"This Pokemon lost too many battles for my taste." said Paul with a frown. "I obviously need a new fighting type."
"Hey, don't put all the blame on Machop!" said Lincoln. "It probably could've swept Roark's team in your gym battle with him if it wasn't for Geodude and Onix's Sturdy abilities; plus, neither of you knew about Zorua."
"No excuses!" said Paul as he turns his back on Machop and walks away, making everyone scowl at him.
"What a jerk!" said Stella.
"How can he treat his own Pokemon like objects to be discarded?" asked Clyde. Everyone looks at the heartbroken Machop with pity.
"What should we do with it?" asked Sam.
"We can't just leave it like this." said Luna. Lincoln thinks for a while, then takes out an empty pokeball and walks over to Machop who looks up at him.
"I know someone who would love to have you as a Pokemon." said Lincoln, surprising Machop. "You interested?" Machop looks at Lincoln with tears in his eyes and nods, making him smile. Lincoln then tosses the empty pokeball at Machop, capturing it.
"What's Machop like?" asked Stella. Lincoln looks at his pokedex.
"Machop's a guy, he knows Low Kick, Leer, Focus Energy, Revenge, Low Sweep, and Knock Off; and we know he has the Guts ability from Paul's Oreburgh Gym battle." said Lincoln. He then uses his Poketch to contact Lisa.
"Greetings, brother." said Lisa. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Can I talk to Lynn?" asked Lincoln.
"Certainly." said Lisa. She then goes off and soon returns with Lynn Jr.
"Hey, bro; whatcha need?" asked Lynn Jr.
"I have a Pokemon that you would like." said Lincoln. He then tells her about how Paul got rid of his Machop and how he took the Pokemon in.
"Paul's a chump!" said Lynn Jr. "And yeah, I can look after him and give him a workout."
"Thanks, Lynn." said Lincoln.
"Let me open a portal between both worlds." said Lisa. A few seconds later, a green portal appears and Lincoln tosses Machop's pokeball into it. When Lincoln looks back at the Poketch 3D holographic screen, he sees Lynn Jr with Machop's pokeball.
"I'll take good care of him." said Lynn Jr. Lincoln then tells her all of Machop's current moves.
"Make him strong." said Lincoln. "And if he needs a punching bag, then have him use Rusty."
"You got it, bro." said Lynn Jr. With that, the call ends. Lincoln feels a pair of arms wrap around him, making him look to see Stella look lovingly into his eyes.
"You're one of the sweetest boys I know, Lincoln." said Stella before kissing him on the lips, making him blush, Luna, Sam, and Clyde giggle, and Dawn growl.
Lincoln just had his first battle with Paul, and Lynn Jr has her own Pokemon. What else will happen with Lincoln's group as their Sinnoh adventures continue?
End of Chapter 23
Pokemon on Lincoln's team: Monferno (M), Staravia (M), Hisuian Zorua (F), and Shieldon (M).
Pokemon in Lincoln's collection: Monferno (M), Staravia (M), Bibarel (F), Hisuian Zorua (F), and Shieldon (M).
Pokemon on Sam's team: Prinplup (F), Luxio (F), Kricketune (M), Zubat (F), and Onix (F).
Pokemon in Sam's collection: Prinplup (F), Luxio (F), Kricketune (M), Zubat (F), and Onix (F).
Pokemon on Luna's Team: Geodude (F), and Turtwig (M).
Pokemon on Clyde's Team: Ralts (M), and Psyduck (F).
Pokemon on Stella's Team: Roselia (F).
Pokemon on Dawn's Team: Piplup (M).
Pokemon in Lisa's care: Abra (M).
Pokemon in Lily's care: Bibarel (F).
Pokemon in Lynn's care: Machop (M).