The competition moves forwards at a fast pace. Booth, Ben, and Gordon win all their battles in the following rounds. While he's battling, Booth notices that some of the traditional trainers use an earpiece for communicating, but it doesn't change much. He makes a new judgment on traditional trainers after a few more battles.
'If I noticed anything about traditional trainers, it's that I haven't given their pokemon enough credit. A lot of these trainers don't know how to avoid bad situations. It's their pokemon that can sniff a bad spot from a good one. Whether it's by their instinct or learned, the pokemon are pretty impressive.
I can't say the same for the trainers, though. I thought that having to call out orders hurt them the most, but they could just get an earpiece. I understand that many of them are just here for fun, so I can cut them some slack. It's just that the average level seems low.'
As Booth is thinking he watches another trainer giving orders in battle. Her pokemon is a Metang and she keeps it moving around at all times.
'She's pretty good. She understands pokemon need constant orders and encouragement to get the best results. Her opponent isn't able to keep up at all. It looks like there are a couple good traditional trainers here after all.'
The last matches finish up and a short intermission is called to let the final contestants rest. Booth, Gordon, and Ben all make it into the top 8. During the break, the man from earlier makes an announcement for the prizes. Booth forgot to look at the prizes, so this is his first time hearing about them.
"...For the third and fourth place prizes each trainer receives a discount card to the trainer stores here in Clanton City.
There has been a slight change to the second and first place prizes. But I assure you it is a welcome one! Originally, the second place prize would have been a trainer discount card. But thanks to our generous patrons at the Driggs Company, both first and second place will win a ticket to the Driggs Battle Train!"
The crowd is quite excited at the additional prizes. Booth contains his surprise… because he has no idea what the Battle Train is.
Ben gives an explanation. "It's a special train that starts here and ends in Loup City. The train features a different type of battling. Along with many new items and technologies that are hard to find anywhere else. I'm not clear on everything, but it should be a pretty good deal."
"I've heard of it as well. But don't you think it's weird that they would give out two tickets?" Gordon asks.
Ben shakes his head, "I'm sure that Driggs company is eager to bring in good trainers. The Loup City Cup is coming up, and I'm thinking they may want to sponsor some trainers before it happens."
Booth and Gordon nod in agreement with Ben's explanation.
'It's also likely that the train has to fill a certain number of trainers. By giving out an extra ticket as a prize, they probably did so to draw more attention to the train. Regardless of their reason, I'm not complaining.'
When the break is over, the top 8 battles start. Unfortunately, Booth goes up against Ben in his first battle. Both trainers have a lot of experience fighting each other, so the fight is bound to be tough for both of them.
"Let's make this battle quick, buddy!" Booth states from the other side of the court.
"Sure, you approach first!" Ben replies while getting his Integrator ready.
"Hmm...Personally, I prefer to take my time." Booth says dryly. He gives a thumbs up to the battle judge to start the battle.
"Haha, then for the sake of our friendship I'll do the same." Ben laughs and gives the judge a thumbs up as well.
The battle begins. Booth sends out his Magnemite, and Ben sends out his dark-form Linoone. Cubone's damage would have been greater in a short fight, but against Ben's mobility, strong singular hits like Magnemites are better.
Booth immediately takes advantage of Ben's cautiousness and starts working on his link. This doesn't work for long. Linoone sprints across the field to pressure Booth. Booth doesn't mind it and keeps focusing on his link. Like he thought, Ben stops running to charge a more powerful move instead.
'He's trying to bait me this early in the match. Too bad, I've seen it before.'
Linoone's claws steam slightly when it finishes its attack a second later.
'But that's new! He learned the ancient art already.' Booth completes 60 percent of his link, but he stops to counter the Linoone. He runs a Solid power up and uses Spark. Ben's Night Slash collides with Booth's Spark. Electricity flies out from the collision along with a bit of steam. Booth pushes the Linoone off him with the help of the Solid power up.
Although he gets Ben to back off, Booth reveals to Ben that he hasn't activated Rebound yet. Ben starts to play even more aggressively. Booth moves Magnemite several feet to the left and charges a Thundershock.
Ben charges right into the Thundershock and uses Headbutt on Magnemite. Booth uses the same instructions of the last move to quickly produce a second jolt of electricity. The electric beam narrowly misses and Linoone goes around the attack. Booth circulates roughly 40% of Magnemite's power and propels himself up in the air for an escape.
Booth refocuses and finishes his link. His senses are enhanced and his Magnemite's power begins to flow more easily.
'I'm low on power, but I'm certain I finished my link before him.' Booth looks at Linoone charging an attack and frowns. 'Ugh, that attack looks nasty. But he's making it too obvious, I can tell he doesn't want to lose the move.'
Booth stays in the air for a second to prepare. Suddenly he speeds up his descent and crashes near the Linoone. Linoone jumps away and keeps its move intact. It pounces sharply and begins to close the distance. Booth runs his best Art, Rebound along with a peculiar power up combination.
Rebound fuses with Booth's Sharp power ups to make an unstable, but frighteningly strong fusion. Without the strength from the Sharp power ups it is unlikely Rebound could even be activated with the amount of power he has left, much less for what Booth wants to do next.
'I just need to withstand this hit.' Booth's heart beats hard in anticipation.
Ben is unaware of Booth's strategy, and his over-eagerness plays into Booth's plan. Booth moves forward instead of back to mess with Ben's timing. It works and Ben is delayed. He recovers and lunges with Night Slash.
Booth completes Rebound, but there's no time to celebrate. Booth has to line up the Sharp power up correctly or he will suffer its recoil. He springs into Linoone's attack without fear. Ben's Night Slash digs through Magnemite's shell and burns like crazy, testing Booth's concentration.
Booth clenches his fists and reaches deep to not lose focus. Even though he didn't land the hit directly on Linoone, Rebound Barrage's first hit connects. Like Booth, Ben's attack has just begun.
Ben whips one claw back while lunging the other one forward. The amount of steam from the ancient art increases, showing the tense situation is getting to him as well. Ben groans as Magnemite slams right into Linoone's head.
Ben has hit seven hits while Booth has only hit four. Ben begins to get frustrated that his attacks are doing enough to push Booth back.
The fifth rebound barrage knocks Ben off balance and gives Booth the opening he wanted. He lines up the best he can, and fires himself into Linoone. Linoone barrels across the ground. The acid-like steam coming off Linoone softens the ground underneath, just barely keeping the Linoone from fainting.
Ben link activates at this moment. His will combined with Linoone's keeps it going for a little longer. Booth looks at the Linoone and then his Magnemite. His Magnemite is only faring a little better than Linoone in terms of stamina, but it will need a few more seconds to build up power. Booth concentrates completely on recovering power. The crowd is silent watching the two tenacious trainers.
"Haaaaah." Ben breathes out an uncomfortably long breath. Ben uses a great amount of power ups on his Linoone to keep it going. His Linoone sprints forward, but the steam around Linoone has already dissipated. Linoone can't carry its legs forward any longer. It slows to a crawl, and finally faints with a soft groan.
The usual beeping comes from Ben's integrator. The Integrator sound along with the crowd's cheering snaps Booth out of his concentration. He has a couple thoughts, but he goes to shake hands with Ben first.
"It was a good match. You did an excellent job with the Ancient art too." Booth compliments honestly.
"Yes, and it seems you learned some new tricks as well." Ben smiles faintly, obviously upset with his loss.
"It's only natural for a genius like me." Booth gloats.
Ben snorts at Booth's comment and leaves the court.
The next match carries their energy, making the other trainers feel fired up and competitive.