A few hours pass, and Booth finds Damon to discuss his new technique. As Damon is taking a break in the lobby, Booth comes and asks for help.
"So you've already achieved a link. That's great, Booth. Is there anything you want to know?"
"Yeah, I have some questions on Tier 2 techniques." Booth says.
Damon gets comfortable in his seat before he responds, "No problem. So what have you been working on so far?"
"About that. A couple of weird things happened today." Booth begins to describe his experiences from the morning till noon.
Damon listens quietly and is a bit surprised when Booth mentions the stone monument. When Booth is done he speaks with excitement.
"The red and green lights you saw, indicate a link like you thought. The red link is for an active link, while a green link is for experience gain.
As you may know, a link does more than just make your reactions quicker and let you use techniques. While physical control gives you access to your pokemon's senses, a link gives you access to a pokemon's experiences."
Booth leans in at Damon's explanation, urging him to continue.
"When a pokemon defeats another pokemon they gain experience and sometimes receive a small power up. A trainer can't level up, but they can improve their techniques with this experience."
'The power up for the pokemon must be something like effort values. While the improvements for a trainer is something I'm not sure about.' Booth thinks.
Damon continues his explanation. "Your pokemon learns from the opponent's power, and thanks to your link, you can too. For example, if your pokemon defeats a sturdy pokemon like Grotle, they can imitate it to a small degree."
"Oh! So if I imitated the power from Grotle I could make my Magnemite sturdier." Booth exclaims.
"Yes! It's harder to do than you think, but it would increase your defense a little bit. Personally, I think it's best to incorporate that knowledge into a defensive technique.
You already mentioned the stone monument's technique, so I should tell you about that too. A technique is actually just a general term. When moves and power is involved, tiered trainers use the term 'art' to refer to techniques.
The art I'm learning is called Bad Company. You can consider it an upgrade to the move Assurance. The art uses the lingering power on a pokemon to power up my next attack or weaken the opponent's power." Damon says with a hint of pride.
"Awesome!" Booth replies, "So does this mean you are familiar with arts too?"
"Yeah, I know a little bit. I'm curious about the art you have as well. We could practice our arts together if you're up for it."
"Sure, I'm ready to practice now." Booth decides.
"Alright." Damon gets up and heads towards the training rooms with Booth.
---
With Damon's help, and the internet, Booth identifies his art as Snakebite. Snakebite is an ancient art for grappling, blocking, and other ways to grip and immobilize the opponent.
The ancient arts are generally easy to find and don't cost too much. The problem is that most ancient arts are lacking in power, which makes them less popular than modern arts. Grappling arts, however, still have some use. Snakebite is a very versatile art that can overwhelm its opponents even without the raw power of new techniques.
The problem is Booth's application of the technique. Booth is slow at recognizing each situation, and what move he should use. Instead of dominating, he gets beat up easily by Damon's Morgrem.
"Booth, I think you're misunderstanding something. The idea of arts is to supplement your other moves, not replace them. You can also change the art if you need it." Damon gives his advice.
Booth thinks to himself. 'I guess I don't understand the difference between moves and techniques. From what Damon's told me some arts increase stats, while others do things like shoot lightning.
The grappling technique isn't easy to work with from the beginning. Hmmm... There's no helping it. If I've learned anything from playing pokemon, it's that there's no playing without taking risks. Playing too safe makes things boring and predictable anyway. With a little effort I'm sure I can make something out of Snakebite soon.'
Booth gets started again, and has a much better time with his practice. He gets knocked around a bit, but is able to experiment with the art much more than before.
When Booth is done practicing. He goes back through the lobby. Emmet is not here right now either, so he just goes back to his apartment.
Booth sits on the couch and decides to look around the internet for the way to progress through tier 2. He asks to borrow Ben's computer and searches for a while.
The most common recommendation people give is to battle wild pokemon. The more experience a tiered trainer has, the better their connection with their pokemon becomes. In general, the skill of a trainer is more important than powerful arts. Because of this most trainers typically learn arts later, once they get a better idea of what they need.
Booth takes in the information a little bit at a time and slowly considers a plan for growth. In the meantime, Booth sinks into the couch, and relaxes. He thinks about his choices for a minute or two.
'Well, so far arts are pretty interesting. The moves and techniques have a thin line between them that I still don't quite understand. Though, I like the new depth that arts bring to battle anyway.'
Booth decides that he's not in a rush and focuses on just improving steadily. Booth closes the laptop and thinks about tomorrow instead. He found something fun to do with a friend and chooses to take the day off.
The next day Booth takes his pokemon and picks up some extra supplies to put in his bag. He walks out to the main street and heads to the pokemon contest hall.
Earlier in the week Booth met Gordon and promised to show him around the pokemon contest hall. Gordon was a Seel trainer who Booth had done a good deal of training with. Booth gets along with Gordon and is happy to hang out.
As usual, the pokemon contest hall is lively and exciting. Gordon is waiting inside as Booth comes in. Gordon stretches and looks around as he waits. Booth easily finds him and walks over.
"Hey Gordon! How are you doing?" Booth says with a smile.
Gordon replies amicably, "I'm doing fine. Thanks for coming, Booth!"
"Sure thing. How about we get going."
"Alright, lead the way."
Booth shows Gordon around the center for a while and explains what's available.
Gordon naturally shows interest in the contest. "Have you participated in any contest yet?"
"Not yet. I picked up on how to modify moves from watching one once, but I never prepared any moves specifically for contests." Booth says honestly.
"How about we try one. It should be fun! We can try a casual contest and just make stuff up on the fly." Gordon points towards one of the signs for casual entrants.
Booth is entertained by the idea and replies boldly. "Sure, let's give it a go."
Booth and Gordon are admitted into the contest soon after signing up. They cut it pretty close with 10 minutes until the contest started. The two go over the objectives of the contest while they wait.
The contest generally has trainers show off different moves and techniques they are proud of on a target. The more experienced contestants show off a string of compatible moves to make a more flashy showing.
Booth prepares his own combo of moves for the showcase. When he's satisfied with his idea, he waits for the contest to begin from backstage. After a few minutes, the announcer goes up and calls the first contestant.
The trainer lets out a Ferroseed and gives it a command. "Ferroseed, Pin Missile!"
The Ferroseed releases its spikes with impressive control. The thorny spikes all pierce the practice dummy without missing a single one.
"Woah, you can definitely learn a thing or two from these trainers. I can see why people like to watch them." Gordon says quietly.
"For sure." Booth adds. The contestant's performances aren't always impressive, but their quick and fine execution is something everyone can appreciate.
Gordon and Booth are last. Gordon goes first and lets out his Seel. He activates his Integrator and gets ready to perform his attack.
Three rings of water from Aqua Ring form between Seel and the practice dummy. After the rings are fully formed they move to form a curvy path to the target. The audience's excitement grows as they think about what happens next.
As expected the Seel springs forward in an Aqua Jet. It flies through the tricky path of each hoop and smacks into the practice dummy at the end. The audience claps and cheers for the clever maneuver. Gordon smiles and waves as he exits the stage with his Seel.
"Haha, good stuff Gordon! I don't think I can beat that." Booth compliments.
"Thanks man. Just go and give it your best." Gordon says.
"I will!" Booth turns towards the stage.
Booth is called to the stage last. He releases his Magnemite and the yellow light flashes on for Booth's integrator. Booth prepares his moves briefly and releases his attacks one after another.
Four silver orbs spin at the target. The Magnet Bombs latch onto the practice dummy and slowly grow from a dull silver to shiny silver. Just as the audience is distracted by the Magnet Bombs, Booth rolls forward with a Gyro Ball.
Magnemite speeds across the ground and when it gets close enough it launches up sharply. It crashes into the target and rebounds off. Suddenly, the Magnet Bombs explode on the target, adding to the overall impact. The practice dummy lurches back violently after the explosion.
The performance is quite different from the previous, and the audience gives their applause. Booth accepts the applause with a smile and waves as he exits the stage. Booth surprised himself after the attack. Not only was the impact greater than expected, but at some point his Integrator light had turned from yellow to red.
"Good job on your performance, Booth." Gordon says energetically. "Also... is that what I think it is?" Gordon points at the red light on Booth's Integrator.
"Yeah, it's a link. I didn't expect it either. I was just focusing on my moves when the link suddenly activated." Although unexpected, Booth is pleased with the result.
"Hmm, intentional or not, it's a good hint for getting my own link." Gordon says as the two of them turn to leave.
'Contests are a lot different from what I'm used to. Unexpectedly, I learned a little about combo attacks too.' As Booth is busy thinking about his discovery, one of the staff stops him and Gordon.
"Ah, Excuse me." The employee takes two passes and politely offers them to Booth and Gordon. "These are passes for official contests if you're interested."
Booth and Gordon take a look at the passes and receive them gratefully.
"Thank you." Booth and Gordon each take a pass. The employee gives a satisfied smile and goes to hand out passes to other contestants.
Gordon chuckles, "There was more to the contest than I thought, it was a lot of fun."
"I think so too." Booth and Gordon decide to stay and talk with the other contestants. The trainers are fun to talk with and like to discuss pokemon as much as Booth does. With the other trainers' knowledge, Booth is even able to get advice on Arts for later.