A pokemon chieftain. Booth had heard about it briefly when he visited Steele Cave. It was described as a one of the kinds of pokemon with a natural gift for battling. Other than that, Booth doesn't know much about them.
Ben begins to explain. "Pokemon chieftains are pokemon with techniques and abilities comparable to those of tier 2 trainers. Chieftains are good at using their power and can form basic techniques without the aid of a trainer. It's this talent for battle that makes them dangerous for trainers to approach carelessly."
"If Trainers can already use power and techniques themselves. What makes pokemon chieftains so valuable?"
"The chieftains don't only have a talent for battle, otherwise they would be the same as other gifted pokemon. Chieftains differ in physical size, weight, or even the amount of power they produce. Whatever their special characteristics are, people are willing to pay good money to get their hands on one."
"That's amazing! How much do you think we could make for catching one?"
"I guess it depends on the pokemon and their special characteristics, but at least 2000 credits for a chieftain."
Booth has become pretty familiar with this world's currency over the past few weeks, and even he can't ignore such an amount.
"So what do you think?" Ben asks.
'Going hunting alone could be trouble. But with Ben leading the way it should be fine.'
"Alright, I'm up for it. When do you want to go?"
"Great! We can leave at noon today. I'll get whatever else we need, and we'll leave then."
"Ok."
Booth agrees to go hunting, but he can't help but be worried about the hunt.
'It seems fine, but I'm a little uncomfortable. Despite having so many creatures with mystical abilities around, the amount of times I've heard people in this world use the word 'dangerous' to describe anything can be counted on one hand. I hope I'm not worrying too much.'
Booth puts these thoughts to the back of his mind as he goes to prepare for the hunt with Ben.
---
At noon Ben and Booth walk to Woodruff Forest. Bringing with them a few things to help catch the pokemon chieftain. Ben bought a couple Great Balls to catch the chieftain, while Booth bought a special kind of lure to help attract it.
As they make their way deeper into the forest, Booth lets out Magnemite to do a little training.
Ben asks a question to make conversation. "You got a Magnemite. How has it been so far?"
"It's better than before. I've only had one good day of practice with Magnemite. But I feel like the competition has made me more comfortable with the Integrator. I'm making good progress even just walking with it."
"I feel the same way. We got a hold of a lot of good opportunities recently, and if we can catch the chieftain we are sure to make even faster progress." Ben says in agreement.
"For sure. Let's hope we can find the chieftain today." Booth responds with excitement.
"I don't think we have to worry. The chieftain was spotted at the south side of the forest, and they don't leave their territories very much." Ben replies reassuringly.
Booth and Ben travel for about an hour and drive away a couple pokemon. A little after 1 they reach the south area of Woodruff Forest.
This part of the forest is much more flat than the previous parts of the forest. While the terrain is still a little rocky there are many more trees on this side of the forest.
Booth and Ben rest for a few minutes before looking for the pokemon chieftain. Booth sits down and gets out the custom lure he had bought earlier.
The lure is a kind of incense that attracts pokemon. While some Pokemon may be drawn to the incense, most pokemon will ignore it. Pokemon chieftains, on the other hand, have a curious nature that makes things like incense irresistible.
The lure only lasts for a couple hours, so Booth and Ben have to find the chieftain before then. Booth takes out a box of matches that got earlier and prepares to light the lure.
"Alright Booth, I'm good to go. Light it whenever you're ready." Ben says calmly.
Booth nods and lights the lure. A bright and sweet fragrance spreads throughout the air. Booth wrinkles his nose at the scent. The fragrance is a little too strong and makes him feel sick.
"The custom lures are made for catching chieftains and such. They are much stronger than the average lure. Normal pokemon will be happy with just a whiff, while chieftains can't get enough of them." Ben chuckles.
"Well I hope it gets as impatient as I am and comes quickly." Booth says with his face still tense.
The two find some pokemon here and there as they walk, but see no sign of the chieftain. About half an hour later, they start seeing less pokemon. The temperature is a little cooler in this area and is much quieter too.
The fragrance of the lure is still as strong as ever and has plenty of use left. Fitting the sudden ominous mood a mysterious rustling comes from the side. Ben stops and looks towards the direction of the noise. Booth stops as well and grabs his Magnemite's pokeball.
About 40 feet away is a Granbull. Its massive jaw hangs open, and from its mouth drool pools in reaction to the sweet scent ahead of it. It gets closer until it can no longer ignore the foolish trainers standing in its way. It locks eyes on each of them and gets ready to attack. A great amount of power builds around the Granbull.
Booth and Ben quickly snap out of their daze and prepare to fight.
"I think that's our chieftain Booth." Ben states as he sends out his Buizel.
"I thought so too." Booth replies, sending out his Magnemite.
The two activate their integrators and a flood of new senses rush over them. Booth's eyes widen as he gets a better idea of the power the Granbull possesses.
Granbull releases a mighty roar and charges straight for Booth. Booth takes a step back at the imposing figure of the chieftain. The ground shakes with each of Granbull's steps as if the floor is shivering in fright. Granbull's eyes blaze with power, almost staring a hole in Booth.
Booth freezes up for a second and quickly realizes the severity of his situation. For the first time Booth feels a great fear of a pokemon. He clenches his teeth hard and commands his Magnemite to use Magnet Bomb.
Four silvery gray orbs grow to the size of baseballs. Even under the shade of the trees, the magnet orbs shine brilliantly. The Magnet Bomb fires accurately into the Granbull. Granbull crashes into each of them without stopping. The orbs crack and explode in a white flash. Booth's eyes sting after seeing the bright light.
'What is this? I might have gone too far this time. This isn't just a game…'
Buizel blasts the Granbull on the side with a Water Gun. When the Granbull is distracted, Ben turns to respond Booth's sudden change.
"Booth, calm down." Ben says, interrupting Booth's thoughts. "I understand your reaction, but we need to focus. The Granbull is already angry, and it's too late to go back now. I brought you along because I knew you could handle it!"
Granbull switches targets to Buizel, which gives Booth a little relief. Booth manages to release some of the pressure on his teeth and refocus himself.
'Ben is right. I haven't been taking things seriously. This is a battle. Now that we've attacked the Granbull, I need to focus.'
"Alright."
Ben hears Booth's reply and is relieved. Booth commands his Magnemite again. Magnemite begins charging a new attack.
Granbull is able to sense the attack thanks to its abilities as a chieftain; he turns towards the Magnemite and sprints forward. Booth holds his breath and concentrates only on his attack. In his mind he pictures gathering power and condensing it for an Electro Ball.
Magnemite forms the Electro Ball and takes aim at the fast approaching Granbull. When Granbull reaches a little over ten feet away, it leaps at Magnemite. Booth lets go of his breath and fires the Electro Ball.
"Fzzz!"
An Electro Ball zips at the Granbull and collides with him head on. Granbull frowns and becomes angrier than ever. It recovers and unleashes a terrifying Superpower. Granbull's body swells and Superpower pushes its body to the max. With nowhere to run, Booth uses Gyro Ball to try and offset some of the damage.
Granbull raises its fists above its head and slams them down on Magnemite. Magnemite is knocked into the ground with a ugly crash. Granbull doesn't stop there and raises its leg up to crush Magnemite.
"Hey Ben..."
"Don't worry I've got a this." Ben says cutting Booth off.
As Granbull is preparing to give Magnemite a beating, Ben's Buizel comes in with an Aqua Jet.
A watery splash pushes Granbull off balance, which causes Granbull's stomp to miss. Granbull's Superpower buff ends and it finally goes through a period of weakness.
Booth is familiar with the move effects, and he doesn't miss the opportunity. While he is still feeling uneasy, he holds out to help Magnemite use Spark. Magnemite rises out of its spot in the dirt, and covers itself in electricity.
Granbull cranes its neck back, then flings its head forward to attack with Headbutt. Booth counters with a Spark from his Magnemite. The electric tackle trades with Granbull's Headbutt and sends both pokemon falling back. The electricity makes a loud crack, and this time Granbull takes serious damage.
"Good job, Booth!" Ben says excitedly.
Granbull wobbles back and struggles to recover. Buizel launches its own attack from behind. Pursuit twists into Granbull's back and sends him toppling forward.
"Here I go." Ben winds up and throws a Great Ball at the weakened Granbull.
The ball lands on Granbull's shoulder, and Granbull is helplessly sucked into the Great Ball. While the ball shakes, Ben and Booth just stare at the ball and prepare attacks just in case.
"Click!"
Booth and Ben both let out deep breaths once the battle ends. They both return their pokemon to their pokeballs, and look at the Great Ball silently.
'That was terrifying, but I'm glad Ben was here to help me out. If I had been alone things could have gotten dangerous. He and Damon have helped me a lot lately, and I'm grateful.'
"Thanks, Ben." Booth says simply.
"Not a problem Booth, like I said, I knew you could handle it." Ben says cooly.
Booth rolls his eyes at Ben's overacting and suggests they check with the Granbull. Ben nods and collects the pokeball. Ben grins in satisfaction after checking out the pokeball and places it in his backpack.
"That's all. Let's head back to town and cash in."
Booth nods, and the two walk back to town in a good mood.