After the contest, Booth spends the next few days practicing his art and battling wild pokemon. When battling wild pokemon he manages to discover the power up Damon was talking about, but it was very minimal.
His grappling art, Snakebite, finally started to show some good results. Against many wild pokemon, Booth was able to lock them down quickly. Booth is a little worried when his art ends up breaking bones. Damon said that it's part of the art.
Knowing Booth's recent worries, Damon tells him not to worry because the pokemon will heal back… eventually.
'I guess it's just the difference in the way we view pokemon. People here tend to treat pokemon as beasts. While some pokemon are people's pets, and are treated very well. At the end of the day, most people view pokemon as fighting dogs. I find it hard to disagree.
Wild pokemon aren't always aggressive, but I would rather play it safe if I had to choose my safety or theirs. I'm not so naive, I want to train pokemon and become stronger. Whether it's good or bad, other pokemon will suffer for it.'
It was natural Booth would think this way. No matter how adaptable he was, it would take a while to get used to the ideas of a different world. He might feel better if he stuck to his original beliefs, but he knows that's not realistic.
Booth has enough of the subject for now, so he starts his training instead.
Recently, he has come to love the feeling of training. The constant repetition of physical and mental exercises. As well as the accomplished feeling Booth gets from finishing a task well. Time passes quickly as Booth practices earnestly.
A while later, a knock comes from the door. Booth looks up at the door and sees Emmet waiting. Emmet stands at the door with a wide smile, he shakes one of the drinks in his hands, impling it's for Booth.
Booth takes a break and opens the door. When Emmet enters, he stinks quite a bit. Booth imagines he doesn't smell much better himself and lets it slide. Booth encourages Emmet to sit before asking a friendly question. "You've been gone for a while, did you go somewhere?"
Emmet is wearing fresh clothes, but it can't hide traces of dirt and sweat on his body. He hands Booth a drink and replies energetically, "Hahaha, I sure have, you're not going to believe it either. I found a pokemon domain." Emmet gives a proud smile. Booth looks lost, but Emmet just continues talking. "I was just walking through…"
"Hold on, I have no idea what that is." Booth says with genuine confusion. 'Wow, it's been one thing after another lately. If I had to guess, this pokemon domain is probably some kind of special area for pokemon.'
Emmet has a sudden thought. "Oh! You just started as a trainer, so I guess it's to be expected. How about this? Do you have plans any time soon?"
Booth catches Emmet's meaning and says. "I don't have anything planned, are you thinking of showing me a pokemon domain."
"That's right. I think it will be easier to just show you. Not to mention more fun." Emmet thinks for a second and adds, "Are you tier 2 yet?"
"Yes, I achieved a link about a week ago." Booth takes a sip from the fruity drink Emmet brought him and savors it.
"Good, good. I'm glad, otherwise things would have been… nevermind we're good, everything's good. Are you interested in going?" Emmet asks, stuttering for a second.
"Sure." Booth accepts casually.
Emmet continues to explain the trip and what they need to bring. Booth has already become used to traveling, so he isn't too surprised to hear the trip will last overnight. Carrying so much gear on a long hike would have been difficult before, but he has increased his stamina quite a lot in the last month.
Booth always takes things seriously when it comes to practice, and training with his pokemon is no different. His endurance won't be an issue for the hike, but Emmet's obvious secrecy about the destination concerns him some.
"That'll be all. We'll meet on the west side of town at the smoothie shop. Oh, and Booth, make sure to take a shower before you go, you stink." Emmet jokingly says.
Booth chuckles, "Sure, I'll see you in two hours."
Emmet leaves first and leaves Booth to prepare. Booth cleans up his stuff and heads out as well. Before he leaves for his apartment, he looks for Ben or Damon to tell him he's leaving.
Two doors over, Booth finds Ben practicing. He knocks on the door and walks in after Ben motions for him to come in.
"Hey Booth, what's up." Ben asks.
"I'll be going out of town with Emmet for a few days. I thought I'd let you know." Booth explains the basic details of the trip.
"A pokemon domain! Sounds fun. Do you need anything for the trip?"
"It's alright. Emmet has some extra camping gear for me to borrow, and I can get everything else on my own." Booth says reassuringly.
"Ok, I'll let Damon know. See you later, Booth." Ben gets up as Booth gets ready to leave.
"Thanks, see you later." Booth closes the door behind him.
Booth exits the Tiered Trainer Center and walks to Poke-chain to pick up a new backpack. He had another bag he got from Ben, but the bag was too small. Not to mention it wasn't very comfortable for hiking.
Booth doesn't plan on buying another backpack for a while, so he looks for one that will last for a long time. An employee sees his interest in the backpacks and comes to help. The employee helps Booth try a couple backpacks and gives his own recommendations. Booth finds one he likes and thanks the employee.
He buys the backpack and goes back to his apartment. He enters the apartment a while later, and takes a quick shower before meeting up with Emmet.
Water runs down Booth's hair as he thinks of the trip. 'It was a pretty sudden trip, but it was good timing to get my mind off of things. This will be my first time camping here. I was never a big fan of camping in my world. Normally, I would have rather slept in my car.'
Booth remembers his first time camping. He and some of his buddies went camping on a whim. He had fun during the day, but he didn't sleep so well at night. The weather was cold, and the additional layers Booth wore only made him more uncomfortable.
The next few times weren't so bad, but Booth never developed a great desire to go on his own. Booth gets out of the shower and packs up to go. He closes the door to the apartment ten minutes later.
'Let me see what you got for me Emmet.'
---
At the smoothie shop, Booth finds Emmet waiting at a table outside. He looks a little out of place with all the gear beside him, but he doesn't seem to attract too much attention.
"Hey Emmet." Booth calls out to him from ahead.
Emmet looks up and smiles, "Oh Booth, ready to go?"
"I'm all set. Do you need me to carry anything else?" Booth says, taking a look at Emmet's pack.
"Sure, we'll divide everything up, then we can go." Emmet puts his smoothie down and picks out a couple items for Booth to carry. Emmet packs the items into Booth's bag for him, while explaining how he likes to pack his gear.
With plenty of daylight left, Emmet leads the way to the pokemon domain. They take a trail along the lake. It's Booth's first time visiting the lake next to town and he is fascinated by the pokemon native to the area. He sees a Lotad floating across the water, and a Buizel paddling from behind.
Booth records the sight of each pokemon in his head. He manages to calm his mind after a few more minutes of hiking. He thinks of the issue this morning.
'I guess this world isn't much different from my own. The grass is still green. People still wave goodbye. What made me uncomfortable wasn't the differences in this world, but what makes it the same.'
A minute ago Booth was a bit surprised when the wild Buizel took the Lotad as its lunch. Booth isn't too shaken, and instead he reinforces his resolve.
'The law of this world is the will of the strong. I learned that with the Granbull fight. The fear I felt then reminded me that this world is just as real as the other. The Buizel ate the Lotad because it was hungry, simple as that. I'm no better, I fought for the Granbull for the money, and I'm doing well because of it. It's sad but true, and I don't plan on making excuses for my actions.
The link made me directly responsible for my choices, and for that I'm grateful. So bring it on pokemon. I'll be fighting tooth and nail, same as you.'
Booth's heart pumps excitedly as he settles the issue once and for all. By accepting the cruel reality of this world, Booth feels he has increased his current strength and ability to improve. He eagerly awaits his next challenge at the pokemon domain.
Eventually the lake comes to an end and a river begins. When they've traveled a fair distance, Emmet stops and tells Booth that they need to cross the river. They find a good spot and prepare. Thanks to their gear and Emmet's knowledge, they manage to cross safely.
Booth looks up ahead and sees that the river forks into two new streams. The left stream is a bit wider than the stream on the right. Booth is currently on the right side, and it looks like they are headed down the right path. Emmet looks at Booth while grinning before making his announcement. He points to the stream on the right and says.
"That on the right is the Redwater River. It will lead us down towards Redwater Valley, our pokemon domain."