Bee's knees! (BCC)

[Tarlar]

"She's sick?" The secretary asked annoyed as he shifted through the papers in front of him.
"Yes, unfortunately. She was looking forward to it very much," Astrid said and quickly added, "we called and was told it was fine that I took her place as long as it was the same pokemon."
The secretary sighed and stared at a paper, "yes, it's noted here," he grumbled, "it shouldn't be allowed," he added mumbling.
"I can assure you it will not happen often, she has participated herself for years now, and with Smokey too so she thought it was a shame to take away the experience for her pokemon. Of course she would also be happy if I bring her home a pokemon she would fancy," the old woman said with a knowing smile, "a little gift for my granddaughter."
The secretary didn't look all too pleased but handed her the sports balls and checked over that she didn't bring any other pokemon with her, or pokeballs.

Astrid looked around and asserted the lineup of other participants, none of them stood out to her as trouble makers right now but she would do her best to keep a close eye on them all.
she let out Smokey and the hippopotas looked her over critically, "you are the one experienced in this my dear, I lean on you to show me the ropes," Astrid greeted her cheerfully and Smokey accepted her with a proud nod. The pokemon had been told the official story, as had Lei.
The old police woman was here undercover! Stepping in for her "sick" granddaughter was a good coverup, and gave Astrid free reign to the park without looking out of place, and a pokemon whom she didn't needed to guide much so she could focus on other things.
She knew she was not the only one sent here to check up on secret informations the IPF had dug up, that something sketchy was going to happen at the Bug Catching Contest. If there were any, hopefully they would be able to reveal it and stop it in time.


Wordcount: 351

[Caramell 🍬]

BCC Encounter

---

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Dustox LV 12
HP 100% [40/40]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Smokey LV 29
HP 100% [87/87]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Sport Balls Left: 15
1/5 Encounters

Dustox [Shield Dust]: Normal
Smokey [Sand Stream]: Normal

SP32 Smokey is having the time of her life in the grass!
SP24 Dustox doesn't like the storm that's about to kick up and wants to speak to your manager...



Shiny? 3xHZDlF1p_1-42

SPOILER: Click to show

Pokemon: (rare) p_1-10 p_1-8 (uncommon) p_1-5 (mon) p_1-5 (level) p_12-18

1-42·1-10·1-8·1-5·1-5·12-18

[Tarlar]

"Oh!" Astrid exclaimed lightly when the bell loudly signalled the start of the contest. "I guess we are starting now," she said with a smile as she watched most of the other trainers rush out to try be the early bird getting the worm.
"Hippo!" Smokey declared at looked expectantly at the old woman, with Aglaia the ground type would just have walked off expecting her to follow, but she had seen how slow Astrid was walking with her cane. The old trainer would never be able to catch up with her.
"Yes.." Astrid said slowly and looked intently around, "we need to start out, but where is best?"
"Potas!" Smokey answered confidently, she knew that, she knew where to find the best bugs as she had done that many times before. She started in a direction and then paused to look over her shoulder to see if Astrid followed. She did, but only very hesitantly and distracted.

They didn't get far before a dustox came fluttering by, more or less ignored by all the trainers present which seemed to vex it a bit. Smokey couldn't help but to send a few spray of sand in its direction as it certainly didn't pay Astrid, and even worse, Smokey any attention either.
The dustox swirled around and began to scold the hippopotas for her rude behavior and demanded to see a manager. The ground type looked rather surprised and then pointedly turned to look at Astrid while the dustox raged on.
It took some time but eventually Astrid noticed they had encountered their first pokemon and she quickly checked the list of wanted pokemon, Lei's original request for Aglaia to borrow Smokey.
"It is not one we're looking for," Astrid told Smokey kindly and the hippopotas gave her a court nod before turning back to the moth.

"The manager? Of course, although I can do one better, the boss!" She said helpfully to the moth and then quickly dug underground. Not much later she popped out approximately below the dustox, "Here I am! I'll give you something to complain about!" She shouted as she lunged for it.

Wordcount: 356
(ooc: Smokey uses Dig)

[Caramell 🍬]

Knocked out of the park!
Dustox tried to give Smokey a buggy bite, but wasn't quick enough. Smokey slammed into Dustox shortly after.
It also really hated the sandstorm Smokey sent up into the air. Who would do such a cruel thing?! Go sand elsewhere, please.

---

Smokey gained +600 EXP to [1086/2611 EXP]!
Smokey gained +1 ❤️ to [+5 Happiness]!


Encounters seen: 1/5
Sport Balls Remaining: 15

[Tarlar]

The dustox clearly learned who's boss and its potential hopes of finding a bug catcher who found it interesting got swatted. Smokey sent it flying, "that should teach you some respect!" The hippopotas shouted after it, as it fled with uneven flaps of its wings.
Smokey turned to Astrid, and the pokemon rolled her eyes exasperated when she saw how distracted the trainer looked to bed.
"Potas!" She called out loudly and Astrid glanced at her, "well done," she said and Smokey shook her head a bit, and turned to lead the way in the hunt for the next bug.

"I think that place would be good to check out," Astrid said and Smokey stopped in her track, the ground type turned to see where Astrid was talking about and stared in disbelief. No pokemon would be there! It was the most well kept area of the whole park! Lost of rock beds and trimmed things, little to no food and hiding spaces for bugs, what were she thinking?!
"Come along now my dear," Astrid called without looking over her should, Smokey protested but Astrid just kept walking.
The hippopotas complained under her breath as she finally followed, she couldn't really do this herself. She was certain Astrid soon would learn that they would get nowhere around here, and hopefully she would be able to convince the trainer to follow her back to the better spots at the park.

Astrid looked around with a trained eyed as she walked into the well trimmed area, she knew this was a place with fewer wild pokemon but she could excuse her actions by claiming inexperience. This would be the perfect place, and time, if someone where to set up some shady business, as this part was deserted. National Park was empty of people except the trainers participating in the contest, and they were obviously where the bugs were.
Of course, Astrid didn't knew what kind of criminal activity there might be brewed, and if it had something to do with the bug pokemon she was certainly going in the wrong direction. She had read enough reports to know that going for something pokemon related, like stealing other's or poaching would be very stupid to do a day with so much attention on the trainers and the wild bugs. If you on the other hand wanted a quiet place, then this was the perfect time and place.

"Let us see what hides around these parts, shall we?" Astrid said cheerfully to Smokey, who sent her a very tired look. "I am sure a lot have been scared over here with all the ruckus, do you not think so?" Smokey looked a bit thoughtful, perhaps, but this place would be a dumb place to go.

Wordcount: 461
(ooc: just noting the "+5 happiness" must be an error, as she haven't gotten any before, having only battled with Aglaia who hasn't taken the quest. The profile is correct, so its just so a later mod doesn't get confused ^^)

[Pixel]

BCC Encounter

---

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Venipede LV 9
HP 100% [40/40]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Smokey LV 29
HP 100% [87/87]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Sport Balls Left: 15
2/5 Encounters

Venipede [Shield Dust]: Normal
Smokey [Sand Stream]: Normal

SP32 Smokey is waiting for orders
SP18 Venipede is digging a hole


Shiny? 20up7jxgp_1-42

SPOILER: Click to show

Pokemon: (rare) p_1-10 p_1-8 (uncommon) p_1-5 (mon) p_1-5 (level) p_7-20

1-42·1-10·1-8·1-5·1-5·7-20

[Tarlar]

The place looked deserted and Smokey sighed resigned and looked wistfully back towards the more wild parts, where the sounds of battling was heard, and cheers and disappointed groans depending on how it went.
Astrid didn't say anything as her eyes scanned the area, and only thing heard was the old woman's cane on the pebbles and the hippopotas' huffs and puffs of annoyance.

Out of nowhere a venipede came darting towards them, waving its antennae frantically.
"You have to leave! Stay away from here, they are not fun at all!" It warned wide eyed. Smokey had trotted forward and looked unimpressed at the small bug, now she rolled her eyes, "you can't scare me, I'm not going to run away and hide just because some bug think they are all great and mighty," she laughed mokcingly. The venipede stared at her for a moment, "oh! Nono, not pokemon! It's the humans! One even kicked one of us!" The venipede exclaimed horrified, "that's not allowed in the contest! Who knows what else they might do?!"
Smokey looked bored at it and then yawned while she waited for Astrid to give some sort of order.

The old woman smiled when the little bug approached them, this was great for her to look like she was doing the contest. She checked her pokedex and skimmed the paper she had been given, this was not one of the soughed after pokemon, so the most logical thing would be to chase it off. The undercover cop stole a glance around, she wasn't interested in attracting the attention which the sounds of battle could though, she found a sports ball. Surely Lei could live with this one, if they didn't ran into anything wanted.

Smokey looked surprised as the ball flew over her head at the bug, were they really going to try catch this weak pathetic bug? She shook her head and waited for the result, it had been a big mistake to go here and Lei would not be pleased with what little they could gain from here.

Wordcount: 345
(ooc: yawn + ball)

[Lamont]

Venipede attempted to protect itself at the sight of the contagious yawn but it was for naught. Simply the sight of such a long, wide, stretch of that cavernous maw was more than enough to bring a weariness to the autumn bug. Once the ball bopped it on its carapace it seemed like there would be no better, safer, warmer, place to take a good nap.

If kept at the end of the BCC it will be added to Astrid's PC.


Venipede
Level: 9
OT: Astrid Lindegaard
Moves: Poison Sting, Defense Curl, Rollout, Protect
Ability: Poison Point OR Swarm

HP: 100%
Balls Broke: 0

[img src="https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/ani/venipede.gif"][img src="https://www.serebii.net/itemdex/sprites/sportball.png" alt=" "]
[b]Venipede[/b]
Name: [Choose]
Gender: [Choose]
Level: 9
OT: Astrid Lindegaard
Moves: Poison Sting, Defense Curl, Rollout, Protect
Ability: Poison Point OR Swarm
Nature/Personality: [Choose]


---

---

Smokey gained 450 EXP and +1 Happiness! (1536/2611 | +2)


14/15 Sport Balls Left

[Tarlar]

Astrid was pleased to see the ball hit its mark, and after a couple of wiggles it lay still with its new capture.
"How wonderful, I am sure it will bring someone a lot of happiness," Astrid said cheerfully as she walked over and tried to bend down to pick up the sports ball. Smokey watched her with narrowed eyes, did she mean Lei would be happy, or someone else?
"Smokey dear, can you please help me?" Astrid asked kindly with no trace of humility, she had gotten used to burrow that uncomfortableness deep down and not think about how she needed more and more help. Right now the problem was that she couldn't bend down down far enough to pick up the small pokeball on the ground, usually it wasn't something she thought about as her own pokemon didn't have to be asked about it anymore. When they just handed it to her almost before she had thought about needing to collect the newly captured pokemon, she was wonderfully free from getting reminded by the limitations her age gave her.
Smokey trotted over resigned and lifted the pokeball with her mouth for Astrid to take, "thank you very much."

The hippopotas looked at the pleased old lady and her shoulders dropped defeated, it didn't look like the trainer had realized at all how bad this area was for pokemon hunting. Unlike Aglaia though, it was crystal clear to Smokey, that she wouldn't be able to take the lead like she did with the younger trainer.
Astrid waddled on and Smokey looked after her, but then squared her shoulders. She might have been given a very bad hand this training session, but she what she was doing and she would get the best out of it. Even here it should be possible for her to sniff out some good pokemon for them to face, she lightened up, this was just an extra challenge for her! It probably had become too easy for her the last few times anyway.

She trotted forward confidently and spotted a promising bush, which she went for and called for Astrid to follow. She glanced over her shoulder only to realize that the old woman was anything but following her, instead she showed a strange interest in a bench. Smokey glared at the old woman but followed her when she didn't budge and join her after several calls.
Astrid smiled to her when she appeared at her side, a little bit of plastic was tied around the armrest but otherwise there was nothing out of the ordinary.
"It is a nice bench, it looks comfy, I think I need a little rest," Astrid said while Smokey stared at her in disbelief. She hadn't seemed like she had been checking the seat out the whole time she had been standing there, but worst of all, they did not have time for this!

"You were checking out that bush over there, were you not? Is there something hiding in there?" Astrid asked and caught Smokey by surprise, the hippopotas looked uncertain at her and then stomped off to check out the bush once more.

Wordcount: 526

[Professor Oak]

BCC Encounter

---

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Venonat LV 12
HP 100% [40/40]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Smokey LV 29
HP 100% [87/87]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Sport Balls Left: 14
3/5 Encounters

Venonat: Normal
Smokey [Sand Stream]: Normal

SP32 Smokey checks out the bush!
SP19 Venonat's large, compound eyes scan the park, its antennae twitching with every movement...



Shiny? qEUQw9QNp_1-42

SPOILER: Click to show

Pokemon: (rare) p_1-10 p_1-8 (uncommon) p_1-5 p_1-3 (mon) p_1-11 (level) p_9-18

1-42·1-10·1-8·1-5·1-3·1-11·9-18

[Tarlar]

Smokey made her way to the bush and thrust her head into it, scaring a purple bug with huge eyes. It had somehow not expected her to find it, even though it had seen her ages ago and had had no troubles keeping track on her movement.
Smokey huffed, how pathetic, she was tempted to just chase it off but she was not one to let impulses run off with her, so instead she chased it out of the bush for Astrid to see it. She jumped at her called and glanced around nervously, she then smiled and shook her head to indicate it was not one they were interested in.

Smokey turned to the venonat with a malicious grin, "you didn't hide well enough, shall we see if you're better at running?" She teased threateningly and bulldozed forward with her mouth wide open, ready to chomp down when she got close enough.

Astrid watched the battle briefly, that shouldn't be a problem for Smokey so she could turn her mind to more important matters. The plastic was clearly a hidden sign for someone, she eyed the trashcan and then rummaged her pocket to find a little snack which she ate while she looked around to guess where the sign was meant to be noticed. She stood up and walked the two steps to the can to throw out the wrappers, checking inside to see if anything was hidden.
Nothing. Not even a trash bag.
"Too late," she mumbled and made her way back to the bench, "so where have they taken it? and what?"
Using the contest as cover was clever, the park was deserted except for the participants. If something needed to change hands so secretly it couldn't even be picked up outside of contest hours, since why else go through the trouble being a part of it? Then it had to be small enough for you to carry.
Astrid pulled a sour face, that would mean it was one of the other trainers.

Wordcount: 336
(ooc: Smokey uses Crunch)

[Tiki]

Smokey +600 EXP!
+1 happiness, now +3!
2136/2611 to next level!

Sport Balls Left: 14
3/5 Encounters

[Tarlar]

The venonat's eyes grew wide and it jumped up when it realized that being nonaggressive wouldn't help it here at all. It had at first tried to just keep its head low and hope that it would mean they would either leave it alone, or let it leave in peace even, but when Smokey outright threatened it and lunged with an open maw, it jumped back and spun around to run.
"And let that be a reminder for you!" Smokey called after it as she let it run, she huffed and she turned around herself trying to spot any other pokemon they could face. The options were measly but she knew that already, and the few they had encountered had been really weak. How could she show her skills when nothing here was worth battling?

Astrid's mind was on something else completely, if it was a small thing which had been picked up, then it must have happened recently and the culprit still had to be around, and if it turned out to be a bigger thing, they might have dropped it somewhere. The last still sounded unrealistic but she couldn't really leave out any possibilities.
Smokey joined her and sent her an annoyed look.
"There are not many challenges for you here, are there my dear?" Astrid asked kindly and the hippopotas huffed and looked away.
"I am sorry, I am sure Aglaia would do a much better job," the old lady continued and Smokey mumbled under her breath, at least the younger trainer knew how to just tag along and let her do the work.
"I cannot walk as far," Astrid said as an excuse and looked around, "I need your help, we all do. You are so great at this, where would you go and hide as a wild pokemon?" The old woman asked and Smokey promptly gestured with her head towards the more lush area they had left at the beginning. "No no, I meant closest to here, I know there are plenty back there, but I cannot go that far anymore," the old lady laughed and the ground type stared incredulously at her, she had just walked here!

Nevertheless the hippopotas took a look around and tried to find the best hiding place which was closest to the bench, and wasn't the bush which she had already checked.
"Potas!" She declared and started towards some trees close by. Astrid looked after her for a moment and thought that would be a good hiding spot for a trainer as well, so she got up and made a big show of walking unsteady and slow with her cane, forcing Smokey to pause several times to wait for her to catch up.

Wordcount: 454

[Pixel]

BCC Encounter

---

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Dustox LV 18
HP 100% [55/55]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Smokey LV 29
HP 100% [87/87]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Sport Balls Left: 14
4/5 Encounters

Volbeat: Normal
Smokey [Sand Stream]: Normal

SP33 Dustox is flutterin around
SP32 Smokey checks out the bush!




Shiny? XXqiKw9bp_1-42

SPOILER: Click to show

Pokemon: (rare) p_1-10 p_1-8 (uncommon) p_1-5 (mon) p_1-5 (level) p_9-18

1-42·1-10·1-8·1-5·1-5·9-18

[Tarlar]

The trees were well trimmed and left nothing out of place, and nothing for wild pokemon to live by really, except a purple and green spot on the middle of one of the tree trunks. Astrid thought it might be sick and wondered why the gardeners hadn't cut down the tree already, when they otherwise were so keen on keeping everything nice looking here. Had it been the other end of the park, they would have left it as food and shelter for the wild bugs.

Suddenly the blotch moved!
"It is a pokemon!" Astrid gasped, as the dustox settled once more and tried to be one with the surroundings again. They would have missed it completely hadn't it moved.
"Of course it is, why do you think I lead you here?" Smokey said as if she had spotted it ages ago, she looked expectantly at Astrid, who looked at the list. Her eyes widened as a smile spread on her face. "This is one of the ones we are looking for. Please make sure it does not run away," Astrid said while looking in between the trees. Smokey rolled her eyes, the human couldn't even see the pokemon now it was right in front of her!
Smokey stepped forward and looked at the moth for a bit, she better try keep it calm. She yawned deeply and looked away from it, "what a nice day for a nap," she said out loud and sat down with half closed eyes, enjoying the nice weather, and keeping a very close eye on the dustox.

Astrid stepped a bit to the side to not be caught in the battle and saw a movement to the right. As she looked a woman was frantically calling out a pokemon, a gothita, and began to rummage through some well trimmed hedges as if she was looking for a pokemon.
"Hi! Found anything good yet?" Astrid called out warmly and the other woman jumped startled before she turned to answer with a little laugh, "not yet unfortunately, and if I don't hurry I might not get anything!"
The old woman nodded while leaning to her cane, "yes, yes, not many around these parts I'm afraid. That's how it is when it is the first time trying, it is good I have a pokemon with me who has tried it before. I am lucky she spotted the one hiding on the tree! You should try that, look at the trees themselves, there might be some there," Astrid blabbered while the other woman stood fidgeting and looked like she wanted to leave.
"One moment," Astrid said as she had to hold a break while she looped the sports ball at the dustox, then she returned to talk nonstop about nonsense to keep the other woman occupied and at one spot.

Wordcount: 472
(ooc: Yawn + ball)