Screens and Support

Ben and Booth each let out their pokemon onto the field. Booth doesn't waste a second, he activates his integrator and has Pansear run to the center. Ben takes the right side and runs in to support Booth.

At the same time, their opponents send out an Espurr and a Mareep. Mareep powers up and charges forward with a Take Down. While the Espurr assists the Mareep with a Helping Hand to boost its power.

Booth sees the move, but he doesn't stop his approach. When the Mareep gets close enough, Booth leaps out of the way and narrowly dodges the move.

'These Mareep and Espurr aren't the sturdiest pokemon, but they have more bulk than us. I don't think we'll win a battle of endurance. Focusing one of them is risky, but there's more reward.

If we attack the Mareep, the Espurr can use a Light Screen and protect it. Going for Espurr, on the other hand, opens us up for an easy knock out by the Mareep.

The Espurr will probably get its Light Screen and Reflect up anyway, so I think we should just go for the Mareep.'

Booth tells Ben his plan and they prepare to attack the Mareep. While Booth keeps the Mareep busy, Ben gets in position.

All of a sudden the Booth's Pansear bursts with power. The power multiplies in Pansear's claws making them longer and sharper.

Booth begins his attack with a Fury Swipes. Pansear's claws rip into the Mareep. Before the third hit can land, Espurr uses a Reflect to deflect some of the damage Mareep takes.

Around the Mareep, a thick translucent barrier suddenly covers the Mareep and Espurr like a second skin. Booth sees the Reflect, but he doesn't stop his attack.

After a few more Fury Swipes, Ben comes up from behind Mareep and hits it with a Pursuit. The Reflect offsets a lot of the damage from powerful combo, and the Mareep is still standing.

Booth and Ben quickly back off a short distance. The Mareep finishes charging its own attack, and shoots an Electro Ball at the Buizel. The ball is small, but packed with electricity.

Sensing the scary power, Ben blasts the Electro Ball with a Water Gun. However, the Water Gun isn't powerful enough to beat a charged Electro Ball. The Electro Ball tears the Water Gun apart, and shocks Buizel with unforgiving strength.

Booth doesn't get distracted and focuses on the Mareep. He builds a Flame Burst, and aims at the Mareep. The fireball speeds out of Pansear's mouth with a spin. The distance is too short for the Mareep to react, and the fireball collides into its wool.

Flames erupt all over the Mareep and cause heavy damage. Booth takes some inspiration from the Sneasel trainer and keeps pressuring the Mareep up close.

'I don't have much power left right now, but the Mareep should be in a similar condition after defending all those attacks. If I attack from close range, the Mareep won't be able to outdo me in its current state.'

As Booth fights the Mareep, Ben goes back to fighting the Espurr. Before Espurr launches its next attack, Ben uses an Aqua Jet to evade. Sure enough the Espurr shoots a small blast of Confusion at the Buizel. Ben accelerates and manages to dodge the Confusion.

Before Aqua Jet ends Ben closes in on the Espurr to keep it occupied.

"I'm sure you know, but I'm getting low on power Booth, you'll have to deal with the Mareep on your own now." Ben says.

"Yeah, I got it."

Booth turns his attention back to the battle. The Mareep gets too close and he has Pansear slash it over and over. When Booth has enough power, he uses a Fury Swipes and finishes it off.

In the Mareep's place a Palpitoad comes in. The Palpitoad stamps across the ground and recklessly chases after Pansear. Booth dodges its first tackle, and prepares his escape. He sends the last of his power to Pansear's legs and makes a dash towards the Espurr.

A Mud Shot finds the Pansear in its escape and puts Booth in critical condition. With his Pansear low health, Booth tries to take the Espurr with it. He runs even faster towards the Espurr. Ben understands Booth's play and charges a Water Gun.

Booth tackles the Espurr and takes it to the ground. The Espurr shakes the Pansear off, and hits it with a Covet. Booth's Integrator beeps as Panser is knocked out. Booth shakes a little from the impact, but he quickly returns Pansear to its pokeball.

Ben shoots a Water Gun at the Espurr, which blasts it from the side. Like the two pokemon before it, Espurr faints as well.

Tyler sends out his Sandshrew to assist Ben. With Booth's team having one pokemon up on the opponents, the battle starts to go in their favor.

The opponents send in their last pokemon, Geodude, and try to get in. Tyler stops the Geodude by attacking it from a distance with Icicle Spear. Every few seconds a blade strikes the Geodude, making the Geodude' trainer get quite frustrated at the constant barrage.

The Geodude launches a Rock Throw at the Sandshrew in retaliation. As if he was waiting for it Tyler uses Rollout. He breaks through the Rock Throw and smashes into the Geodude. He doesn't stop there, as Tyler follows up with a Metal Claw. Claws as hard as steel strike the Geodude and deal a critical hit for the finishing blow.

Some people in the audience cheer at the spectacular play.

'That was a quick knockout! Tyler didn't waste any time between moves, and got a knock out before the Geodude could do anything.'

With just the Palpitoad left, Ben and Tyler fight carefully. The Palpitoad trainer can't take the pressure and starts stumbling. After taking a couple more hits, Tyler hits the Palpitoad with a rollout and ends the battle.

When the last Integrator goes off for the Palpitoad, the match is called for Booth's team. The audience claps a bit to celebrate their victory. The opposing team shakes hands with Booth's team then quickly clears the field for the next team.

Booth's team is thrilled after winning their first battle. As soon as they reach the stands, they give each other their congratulations.

"That was a great battle! We controlled the pace of the battle for the entire match too." Ben states

"Yeah, everyone used their power well. If there is anything that makes us a good team, it would be how fast we finish our battles." Damon says. "It was hard to tell in the practice battles, but focusing on fast paced games turned out to be the right choice."

Booth's team agrees and continues to review their match. They discuss their decisions in the first match, and find out what they could improve.

"Between the Espurr and the Mareep, I'd say it would have been better to go for the Espurr. It worked out in the end, but I think our opponents were just slow on their moves." Booth nods and Tyler continues."The Espurr trainer could have supported the Mareep with Helping Hand and Screens a lot better. If it did the Mareep would have been able to counter our double up a lot better.

The problem with their team was their lack of awareness. For example, a Helping Hand boosted Thundershock from the Mareep would have allowed it to deal damage quickly, and reduce the damage it took."

Booth hears his advice and agrees with Tyler's logic.

"Hmm, I think I get what you're saying. The boosted Thundershock could have slowed down our momentum, and put us in a bad spot even if they took a lot of damage. The opposing Espurr missed this chance, because it played too defensively. Well, It's definitely good to keep in mind, thanks Tyler."

"No problem."

Booth thinks of the situation again and appreciates working with a team. 'I can see how four man teams are so popular at Tier 1, and I'm happy this tournament encourages them.

Teams seem like a great way to get coaching and figure out Tiered Trainer battles. If I had done multi-battles with other players in my world, I'm sure I could have learned pokemon much faster.'

With the first match done, Booth watches some more battles in the meantime. While watching he can't help but feel excited whenever he sees a new pokemon come out. For Booth, each time feels like the first when it comes to seeing pokemon in real life.

'Ooh a Dewpider! It looks hilarious. It's hard to believe its' space helmet looking thing is such a broken ability. Water Bubble is an amazing ability I would have loved to look into. It's too bad controlling abilities is largely a Tier 2 domain.

Well, I'm not in a big rush. At the pace I'm going now, becoming a Tier 2 trainer should be right around the corner.''

At 12, spectators start to show up to watch the battles. The battle schedule is on pace and the round 2 battles are estimated to start around 1.

Booth's team gets its second opponent after lunch, and the battle takes place around 1:30.

This battle is even quicker than the first, with Ben and Booth leading for their round 2 match as well. The lead on the opponent's side is a Jigglypuff and a Deino.

The match goes relatively quickly after knocking out the Jigglypuff. The opposing team also knocks out Ben's Buizel with their Deino and sends out their next pokemon, Bronzor.

Booth knocks out the Bronzor with Damon's help, and in quick succession, Booth and Damon take out the Deino. The opponent's last pokemon, Stunky, manages to knock out Booth, but Tyler comes in and finishes it with his Sandshrew's Rollout.

The battle ends in just a few minutes. The opposing team shakes hands with Booth's team and returns to the stands.

After winning their second match, Booth's team qualifies for the final day.

"That was great work, guys. Let's do the same tomorrow." Damon says.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Tyler replies.

'That turned out pretty well. I'd stay and watch the other matches, but I got a lot of ideas today, and I can't wait to test them out.' Booth thinks.

Booth says his goodbyes to the rest of his team and heads off the Tiered Trainer Center.