The time for the competition grows closer. Booth arrives at the Whispering Lake resort along with Ben and Gordon. Each of the trainers are eager to participate in the event.
The building closest to the water is the recreational building. Rentals for boats and other vehicles are also handled here. The resort's hotel is a little further back. It includes lodging and the banquet hall for the fundraiser. To the side of the building there is a lavish arena for pokemon battles.
Booth walks to the banquet hall first to give his donation and enter the competition. After looking around with Ben and Gordon, he finds more traditional trainers than tiered trainers.
Booth chats with some of the other trainers, until one of the event organizers steps up. "Attention trainers, the tournament will be starting shortly. For those who are not familiar with the event's rules, I will explain them now."
The man's strong voice carries throughout the hall even without a microphone. The people in the venue quickly quiet down to listen to the man speak.
"The tournament will be single elimination and will allow each trainer to use one pokemon each. The competition hosts both traditional trainers as well as tiered trainers. To make things more fair, the tiered trainers should send out their pokemon first."
Booth smiles slightly, 'I guess that's fine. A lead pokemon matters much less for tiered trainers anyway. It's a slight advantage, but it's not something I can't handle.'
Seeing no one object, the organizer continues. "Good! The bracket will be decided quickly, so please head outside to the battle arena."
Booth makes a comment to Ben and Gordon as they walk out. "I've never battled a traditional trainer before. Have you?"
Ben nods, "I have. My uncle was a coach for traditional trainers, so he taught me a lot about how they battle."
"Great, so what do you think the main difference between traditional and tiered trainers is?" Booth asks.
Ben thinks for a second. "Hmm, I would say that on average traditional trainers are more patient. Since traditional trainers have to call out their moves ahead of time, smart trainers will either go for small hits or end things quickly after an opening."
"I'm guessing a big part of your battle style comes from having been a traditional trainer." Booth says, finding many similarities in Ben's description with his battle style.
"That's right, but thanks to my Integrator I play a bit faster than the average trainer does. Traditional trainers, on the other hand, are much more likely to camp. It gives them time to think and plan. Although I say that, some of them will camp for no reason." Ben starts to feel annoyed.
Booth and Gordon laugh at Ben's explanation. Booth organizes what he knows about traditional trainers so far.
'The combination of traditional trainers and their pokemon sounds like a brains and brawn type of deal. The trainer is able to split the labor and focus more on their strategy, while the pokemon follows their commands and focuses on the fighting. It sounds like fun, but the problem is that much of the trainers' success depends on their pokemon, which doesn't appeal to me.'
A few minutes later, the bracket is posted on all the TVs for the trainers to see. About a hundred trainers are listed on the bracket.
Booth takes a quick look at the bracket and returns to his seat to watch the first competitors. He starts to notice that the event is much more carefree than he thought. Most of the trainers have very little experience, and seem to be here for fun.
When Booth's turn comes, he steps up to the court confidently. He pulls his integrator out of his pocket and grabs his pokeball. Booth takes a close look at his opponent and doesn't see an Integrator.
Meanwhile, the other trainer sees Booth's integrator and smiles nervously. It's likely his first time against a tiered trainer. Both trainers give a thumbs up to the battle judge who then calls the start of the battle.
"Grahh!" Cubone lands on the ground and looks for his opponent. He doesn't find one, so he just glares at the opposing trainer. Booth's integrator lights up a second later.
The trainer seems a little unsettled as he grabs a pokeball and prepares to throw it out. Booth has to suppress a laugh when he sees Cubone tapping his bone on the ground and motioning for the other trainer to hurry up.
The trainer sends out his Skiddo. He doesn't hesitate and makes the first command.
"Skiddo, Bulk Up." The Skiddo listens to its trainer and puffs up slightly.
Booth collects power for his own buffs and circulates Rebound. Strength fills Booth head to toe. Booth runs forward with Cubone and looks out for attacks.
"Seed Bomb." Skiddo stomps the ground and over a dozen of large seeds are launched into the air like mortar shells. Booth moves back to avoid the seeds. The seeds explode, sending fragments of the seeds into Cubone. After dodging Booth is back where he started.
Booth has a long ranged attack with Bonemerang, but the move is likely to be dodged or blocked at his current distance. Normally, Booth would be fine approaching slowly, but he wants to save his stamina for later battles.
'Lucky for me, I've come across similar situations with tiered trainers. I copied this move onto my Cubone and made some special adjustments.' Booth grabs a clump of soft dirt and begins to gather power in his fist.
The other trainer thinks Booth is going for a Sand Attack and gets ready for the attack.
Booth's power makes the dirt stick together tightly like a rock. Not giving the trainer enough time to call anything out, Booth finishes the move and uses Fling. Skiddo is struck and the trainer quickly realizes his mistake. Booth reaches his hand to the ground several times and prepares a handful of rocks, juicing them up with Rebound's power.
Booth makes his way forward once again. His opponent calls for another Seed Bomb and this time makes his move.
"Take Down!"
Booth throws the rocks into the cluster of Seed Bombs. The rocks cause a few of the Seed Bombs to blow up, detonating the other seeds with them.
'Let's show him what a real combo attack should look like, Cubone.'
Booth storms in boldly with Rebound Bone Rush. He swings his club and meets with Skiddo's Take Down. The Bulk Up gives Skiddo some extra strength, but it runs out by the third strike. The violent attack continues until the fifth strike where Skiddo can no longer stand.
Booth's skill in close combat is too much for the Skiddo to handle. Skiddo topples over and faints. Booth and other trainer each return their pokemon. Booth is satisfied with the battle and moves to shake his opponent's hand.
Booth moves off the court and takes about a ten minute break before the next battle. Even with the little time to rest, he moves through the competition with enthusiasm. In between battles, he records information about the battles and the different pokemon he fights.
Booth rubs his eyes and stays focused, knowing the most difficult battles are still ahead.