The group of hungry trainers stop by a food stand outside to eat lunch. Booth already has his own lunch and sits at one of the tables first. The other three order their meals at the stand.
The three sit around the table a few minutes later to eat. They start talking about their progress so far.
"It's only been a few weeks and I feel like I'm already making amazing progress as a trainer." Gordon says.
"I agree. It is just the basics, but I picked them up faster than I expected. I really have to thank you Booth. If there's something I can do for you, just say it." Jared adds.
Booth was going to refuse, but he thinks of something at the last second and asks."I was thinking of getting another pokemon, but I don't have another pokeball. If you could help me with that I would appreciate it."
"That's easy. Pokeball's only cost 20 credits after all." Jared opens up his bag to find a pokeball for Booth. He hands it to Booth and says. "I can help you find the pokemon you're looking for too if you would like."
"You don't have to go that far. It's like you said I was just helping with the basics. Besides, practicing with others has been a big help for me too. If you guys want to practice together in the future, just ask. I'd love to work with you guys again."
"Same here. Working with people at a similar level has been a great experience for me. I'd be glad to help if you have something you want to work on." The rest of the group agrees with Jared's comment.
After giving their own thanks to Booth individually, the group resumes eating and moves on to other topics.
---
After living in this world for a week and more than just Booth's living situation has changed.
'The difference between the game and reality is massive. The idea of practice and improvement is similar, but the reward is much greater here. The difficulty is also greater, but the satisfaction I get from even just practicing is so much better.
Before pokemon was just a source of entertainment, or a beloved hobby. Lately I have become much greedier. Becoming a real pokemon trainer is an addictive thing. I am no longer content with just getting better anymore. I want to reach the top of the tiered trainer world.
I can't wait to keep finding new moves, abilities, and battlestyles. I'll definitely become more skilled and achieve such strength.'
After strengthening his resolve, Booth looks for something to do before the Team Competition. Learning physical control would take too long, so he eliminates that. He could go train some more. Booth enjoys training all morning and while he can train all the way till dinner, he wants to explore other options as well.
This world is still an unfamiliar place to Booth. Booth asks around and figures some things out. This world is as modern as earth is, and shares similar technology. The most different factor, Pokémon, are well received by most people.
Pokemon can be used for crimes, but their popularity among the average person makes criminals think twice about the risk when commiting crime. Booth thought people would be afraid of pokemon in the city, but instead they feel safer because of them. This eases Booth's mind a little, but he is still wary of others.
With some more thinking Booth decides on looking for another pokemon.
'Thanks to Jared I got an extra pokeball. And as I remember Macy said that Steele Cave was a good place to catch pokemon. Maybe I can find something good. Either way, I should be able to get some good experience with Pansear.'
Booth makes up his mind and walks towards Woodruff Forest to find Steele Cave.
---
Booth sees a trail map along the entrance for Woodruff Forest and finds the trail for Steele Cave. He brings out his Pansear to help watch out for other pokemon while they follow the trail. Along the trail he meets another trainer who has some news.
"Someone reported a pokemon chieftain showing up. It was reported pretty far from here, but you'll want to be careful."
Booth looks confused and asks, "What's a pokemon chieftain?"
"It's a one of the terms for a naturally gifted pokemon. They're stronger and more intelligent than normal pokemon when it comes to battle. They can be dangerous though, so it's better to run away if you aren't prepared."
"Thanks for the information." Booth smiles to show his gratitude.
"You're welcome." The trainer goes his own way after giving the warning.
'Interesting. I'm curious how different a gifted pokemon is from a normal pokemon. Pokemon in this world may not be as smart as the pokemon that I know, but they are definitely more clever in battle. Now that I think about it, the Glameow I fought before was a good battler too. I got a lot of good experience battling it, I'd be happy to fight other pokemon like it in the future.'
Booth continues walking along the trail with his Pansear, when he hears a pokemon from ahead. In the trees he sees the leafy assailant. A Swadloon jumps at him from the trees above.
He quickly activates his Integrator and commands his Pansear. Booth takes several steps back and has his Pansear attack. His training with Pansear recently has made this process much quicker than before.
Not wasting a second Booth builds power for an Incinerate. The Swadloon begins attacking while Pansear also takes some steps back. 'Keep it distracted. I'll have an Incinerate ready in a second.'
The Swadloon shoots it's Razor Leaf at the Pansear. Pansear is able to dodge some of the leafy blades and it defends itself from the rest of them. After the move ends Booth has Pansear rush the Swadloon and fire an Incinerate.
The Swadloon sees the fireballs and puts up it's leaf cape. The flames of Incinerate clash against Swadloon's body. To Booth's surprise the Swadloon comes out relatively healthy. It's leaf cape is burnt, but the pokemon seems fine.
The Swadloon opens its cape and fires a random silk towards Pansear to distract it. Pansear avoids the sticky silk and prepares to counterattack. However, the Swadloon gives up and retreats into the forest.
After seeing the Swadloon was really gone. Booth relaxes and turns off his Integrator. He continues walking as he thinks about the fight.
'I heard type effectiveness wasn't as strong, but I never would've imagined it was to this degree. The Swadloon effectively covered his weak spots with his cape and reduced the damage he took. If this was the type effectiveness from the games then the Swadloon would have burned easily.
This just reinforces the idea that the most important thing isn't type effectiveness, but aiming for the opponent's weak spots. Because of the Swadloon's strong defense it got out fine, I shouldn't underestimate an opponents defenses in the future. I had already planned on finding a pokemon with a strong defense, but this settles it.'
Booth puts his thoughts away for now and follows the trail.
Further up the trail Booth finds a sign marking the entrance of Steele Cave. Inside the cave there are a few openings in the ceiling for light to get through, but there's many parts that are still too dark to see. Booth has Pansear keep a flame active to see those spots.
Booth's goal in the cave is to find himself a second pokemon. After seeing Tyler's sturdy Sandshrew and his decisive playstyle. Booth also wanted to try using a similar pokemon. He chose Steele Cave because it was the best area he knew to find sturdy pokemon.
Up ahead Booth encounters his first opponent, a Boldore. He has his Pansear try to move in from behind to attack. Pansear's poor vision in the dark causes it to stumble and alerts the Boldore. The Boldore hears him and turns swiftly. It swings one of its arms downwards and it crashes into the ground next to Pansear. Pansear is able to dodge in time, but Booth can't help being surprised at the speed and strength of Boldore's arm.
'Boldore is not that fast across the ground, but it's limbs are incredibly fast. This change is dramatically different from when it's moving around normally. It gave me quite a scare. Luckily Boldore's reflexes are even slower than mine.'
Booth tests the bumpy boulder a few more times until he understands its attack plan. He gets used to directing Pansear in the dark as he does. On one of the openings he finds Booth tries using Fury Swipes.
The Boldore is hit and gurgles in pain, but is still firmly mounted to the ground. Booth uses a Flame Burst next and blasts the it from the side. This time the Boldore is knocked off its feet. It hits the ground and faints after the heavy impact.
'Boldore is interesting, it could definitely fill a bulky role on a team. But I only have one pokeball and I want something a bit more versatile.'
Booth looks around and battles another two pokemon until he finds a pokemon he likes. He sees a Magnemite floating around in the air. He starts charging an Incinerate and has Pansear jump at it. In the past couple battles this has always been a strong way to start. If the opponent doesn't do anything or tries to attack them, then the opponent will take the hit. If the opponent retreats Booth can just cancel the move.
The Magnemite turns and attempts to counterattack, but it doesn't fire in time. The fireball consumes the unprepared Magnemite with a critical hit. Despite the heavy damage the Magnemite manages to hold on.
"Woah!" The next second the Magnemite flies up into the air. The speed it does so once again baffles Booth. Not to mention the way Magnemite flies is as if it is pulled in each direction.
'Don't let it get away, Pansear. I want this one for sure.'
Booth looks at the terrain and finds a way for Pansear to catch it. He is interrupted by an electric spark generated from above. He has Pansear put up a guard to block the attack. After shaking off the attack Booth gives a command.
'Pansear see if you can climb that rock column. We can try and launch another attack when you get closer. Don't worry about your fall, I'll catch you.'
Pansear nods and follows Booth's order. It scales the column at a rapid pace. The Magnemite attempts to shoot Pansear down, but it misses when Pansear goes to the other side of the pillar. When Booth detects an opening he notifies Pansear on where to jump. Pansear leaps off the column, falling towards the Magnemite.
Booth builds up power for one last Flame Burst. Maybe because he has felt it so many times, Booth fires the Flame Burst without Pansear's help.
"Boom" The Magnemite takes the hit.
"I got you, Pansear!" Booth swiftly returns Pansear to its pokeball.
The Magnemite can't stay flying any longer and falls to the ground. Booth celebrates his success and thinks over the last hit in detail.
'I couldn't do that before. I've been able to build up power by myself before, but I've never been able to fire it on my own. It really felt like I was the one shooting it.' Booth takes out his Pansear to fetch the Magnemite as he thinks. 'In the first place being able to connect with pokemon is something I accepted too naturally. It's like driving a car, but now you can control it with your mind and it shoots fireballs.'
Pansear drags the fainted Magnemite to Booth with a wide smile. Booth thanks his Pansear and prepares his extra pokeball. He presses the ball to the Magnemite and watches it wobble. It bobs just once and clicks to indicate a successful capture.
'Alright! That's my second Pokémon I can't wait to try it out.'
Booth picks up the pokeball and makes his way out of the cave. He smiles happily while he thinks of his new capture. With his main goal of capturing a pokemon finished, Booth walks back on the trail to town.