Chapter 3: Catch a Thief
After getting her saddlebags stolen, Baye was unable to remove the incident from her mind, causing her to lose sleep. Still, she kept up a facade around her parents, promising the cloaked Pokemon that she would not tell them about what happened.
The next morning, the kitchen smelled lively. Her mother Chibi made breakfast for her, which was four pieces of Bluk Waffles with eggs on the side. Her father Maga was at the table with glasses on and a cigar in his mouth while reading the daily newspaper as he held it to his face using his vines.
Baye: *yawns* ...Good morning...Mom...and Dad…
Her parents noticed how tired she looked. Her eyes formed bags, and looked as if she was about to fall asleep at any time.
Chibi: *gasps* Oh my Arceus! Baye! You look tired! What happened?
Maga: Is there another male I need to know about?
Baye: ...Oh, Dad...You know I haven't even found a male yet.
Chibi: Um, perhaps I should make coffee.
Baye: ...That sounds really nice…
Maga: I'll take some too. I need it to keep up with the market.
Chibi: I'll get started. You do have a big day today, and I want my adorable dear to make it. *nudges Baye*
Baye: Oh, that's right. I can't wait to become a full-time botanist.
Chibi: Well, eat up dear. I've made my breakfast with love. Wouldn't want it to go to waste.
Baye: Sure.
As she sat down, she began eating, albeit slowly. Her mother began brewing coffee from the beans she had in a jar on the shelf. Maga also took a bite from his meal, keeping his eyes on the paper as he did. As he did, a headline caught his attention.
Maga: *blows smoke* Hey, look at this headline. It appears that there's a thief going around. It's said that fifteen bags were stolen from travelers near the forest path. Hmm...How odd.
Baye perked up from hearing about the headline, although she did so without raising suspicion from her parents.
Maga: Baye...I hope you were safe last night. Thugs like that deserve to be locked up.
Chibi: Don't jinx her day, dear! She's only a growing female. I highly doubt she'd get into trouble.
Maga: Sorry. Just wondering.
Baye: (...I can't say anything about that incident that took place last night…)
Baye finished her breakfast, and got up from the table, ready to leave the house.
Baye: Bye Mom! *kisses Chibi on the cheek* Bye Dad! *kisses Maga on the cheek*
Maga: Have a good day, sweetheart.
Chibi: Make us proud!
She grabbed her coffee using her orange vines and headed out the door, taking a sip as she did. The coffee her mother brewed was a delicious sensation filled with love and care, enough to boost her confidence. She went further down the trail where plant-related jobs were hosting applications. There were Pokemon lined up at them, shaking hands and signing papers to apply.
Baye: (...Boy...The market sure is full today…)
She decided to shrug off her thoughts, not wanting them to ruin her confidence. She continued walking down until she saw a line hiring future botanists. It was enough to brighten her day, knowing that today was the day. The day to-
Baye: (...Damn…! This line's full…! I hope that this will go over quickly…)
She went in line behind a female Ivysaur, who was wearing red glasses. She didn't seem too happy as she noticed Baye behind her. Baye yawned and felt her eyes getting heavier, but kept drinking her coffee and shook herself to stay awake.
Baye: (...Stay...awake...Baye…!)
Several minutes passed, with the line getting shorter. When Baye yawned again, the Ivysaur grew irritated, eyes twitching in response.
Baye: (...Come on...I don't have all day…)
She yawned again, with the Ivysaur now turning her body towards her. Her expression was sour, glaring at her as if she was going to kill her.
Ivysaur: *groans* Excuse me! Do you mind?!
Baye: …Huh? Me?
Ivysaur: Yes, you! Look, I've come here to be accepted and enter the botany field. I can't stand "yawners" around me. Brings bad luck.
Baye: …Uh, I'm sorry?
Ivysaur: You heard me. Unless you're too tired that your senses don't work.
Baye: Well, I'm sorry if me being tired irks you so bad.
Ivysaur: *scoffs* Whatever. Just don't let me catch your drowsiness. Hmph!
She turned back around, keeping her eyes focused ahead.
Baye: (...What's her problem…?)
An hour passed, which shortened the line to the point where the Ivysaur was now at the desk. She was speaking to a female Vileplume that had a different color scheme compared to a regular one. Her flower-like head was pink, with large white dots on each tip, and had a blue body, sporting pink eyes as well. She also wore glasses, which matched her flower-like head color.
Baye: (...She looks interesting…)
She noticed that she gave the Ivysaur a smile and continued talking as she showed her a plant, which she easily identified.
Baye: (...A plant test...? This should be easy for me...!)
The Vileplume then gave the Ivysaur a paper to sign before she gave it back to her. The Ivysaur left the line in glee, but only gave Baye a dirty look before walking away, which confused her.
Vileplume: Have a nice day!
Baye: (...Oh boy...! I'm next…!)
Vileplume: *smiles* Hello! Good morning! I'm Vanessa, a botanist professional looking for future botanists. Are you applying for the Botanist's Greenhouse?
Baye: *gasps* Oh, yes! I've been wanting to work for one ever since...well...right now! *chuckles nervously*
Vanessa: Well, do you have any knowledge in botany?
Baye: Yes I do.
Vanessa: Then, show me.
Vanessa then pulled out a plant that was unfamiliar to Baye. She knew that she could never tell what kind of plant it was, since she was still learning about plants. The plant she pulled out had a weird design, almost star-like with star-like leaves, bearing three sprouted ones. However, the middle one had an orange inside color, almost like a sun.
Vanessa: So, what kind of plant is this?
Baye: U-Um...It's uh...umm… (...Oh no…! I have no idea what kind of plant this is…! So much for being a future botanist…!)
She began sweating and fidgeting, which Vanessa noticed and confused her. However, her sweet, welcoming tone dropped as it turned sour and sported an annoyed face as she said...
Vanessa: ...Really? You know nothing about this?
Baye: W-W-Well, I-
Vanessa: Listen, sweetie...If you know nothing about this plant, how can you call yourself a "botanist"?
Baye: U-Um, I-
Vanessa: *sighs, shakes head* Seeing as how you look like someone that ran through hell, I don't even understand why you're here. NEXT!
Baye: W-W-W-Wait! I-
Vanessa: Sorry, "sweetie"...but you can't even pass a simple test like knowing what kind of plant this is. If I was you, I'd invest in another career. Maybe something to your style.
Baye: B-But-
A male Skorupi pushed Baye aside and greeted Vanessa with a smile, knowing what kind of plant it was as he interjected with...
Skorupi: Ooh! I can tell what kind of plant that is! That's a "Corona Plant", isn't it? One of the rarest types of plants in the world!
Vanessa: Yes indeed! I think you have a promising career ahead of you! *pulls out paper* Now then, you'll have to sign here and fill in the fields required.
Baye, now rejected by the one promising career she looked forward to, ran away with tears in her eyes. Other Pokemon in line ignored her. She ran through the market, which confused some Pokemon. Ahead of her was Moody and Happy, who were shopping for ingredients.
Happy: *laughs* Grandpa! It's Baye!
Moody: Ah...I wonder how her application was going.
He noticed how she had tears in her eyes and was running too fast to notice anyone. She passed them, which concerned him.
Moody: Hmm...Something's wrong…
Happy: What is it, Grandpa?
Moody: Baye! Wait!
Happy: Ooh! Maybe she's playing "tag"!
Moody: Happy my boy, hold my items for a moment. I'll be back after I talk to her.
Happy: Okay, Grandpa.
He left Happy at the market while he searched for Baye. A few minutes later, Baye headed into a secluded part of the forest and cried her eyes out. She thought that she was alone, free to let her feelings out.
Baye: *sobs* It's not fair…! *sniff* I...I...I ruined my career…! *sniff* I...I waited my whole life...dreamed my whole life...for this...and it's gone...in a single morning…! *sniff* First I was robbed, now my career is ruined…!
Moody noticed her crying and reached out to her with his voice. He overheard everything, and wanted to try cheering her up.
Moody: Ah...So that's what happened…
She turned into his direction, not surprised as she was in her most vulnerable state.
Baye: *sniffs* M-Mr. Moody…I…What...What will I tell my parents...? *sobs*
Moody: Miss Baye, it's alright. I'm sure if you tell your parents, they'll understand.
Baye: No they won't! *sniff* They had confidence in me! If I tell them, I'll just be nothing but a disappointment to them!
Moody then sat next to Baye, wanting to share his perspective on the matter.
Moody: …Miss Baye...Sometimes in life, not everything goes according to plan. There's no need for you to worry. I think they'll understand. Take it from me. I've had dreams too, but just because one thing didn't work out doesn't mean you should give up. I know you're young, but take some time off and try to take it easy for now. There'll be other opportunities later on in your life.
Baye: ...Are...Are you sure…?
Moody: *nods* Positive.
Baye: *sniff* T...Thank you...Mr...Moody…
Moody: No problem...However...You mentioned getting robbed...Care to elaborate on that further?
She looked down at the ground, unsure of what to say.
Baye: ...O...Oh...I...I uh…
Moody: ...I'm guessing that it was terrifying, wasn't it? Did this "thief" intimidate you?
Baye: ...Y...Yes...M...Mr. Moody...I...I can't...say anymore…
Moody: Hmm?
Baye: I...I can't...I just...can't…
Moody: ...I get the feeling that this thief didn't want you saying anything to anybody, isn't that right?
Baye: ...Y…You looked…right through me…
Moody: Hmm...This "thief"...Noticing your saddlebags not being on your usual hump means that he's still running rampant. Whomever he is, he's likely to strike again.
Baye: W...What are we going to do?
Moody: Simple. We lay out a trap. Let's get you a pair of saddlebags, shall we? But first, I'd like to finish shopping. You can come with me and Happy since we're in town.
Baye: *sniff* Sure.
Some minutes later, Happy saw his grandfather and Baye coming back. She had a smile on her face, which put a smile on his face as well.
Happy: Grandpa! Baye! Is it my turn to play tag?
Moody: *chuckles* Not really. But now it's over. Let's continue our shopping, shall we?
Happy: Sure!
...
A few hours later, Happy and his grandfather, along with Baye, finished shopping and returned back to his cabin.
Moody: Ah, home sweet home again. Better start making preparations for dinner.
Happy: Alright! Hey Baye, what's "getting robbed"? Is it like "receiving money"?
Baye: …Quite the opposite.
Happy: Well, even if you're not a botanist, you're one to me!
Moody: And me.
Baye: *smiles* Thanks. At least I have Pokemon like you two that care.
Moody: The only thing left is to tell your parents. Come back over tonight so we can ambush this thief, okay?
Baye: Okay.
10 minutes later, Baye rushed back to her parents' house, although she was nervous. She didn't want to imagine how the conversation would go, so she took a deep breath and walked inside. Her father was still out, leaving only her mother around. She brightened up when she saw her daughter enter the kitchen.
Chibi: Oh, sweetheart! You're home! How was it? Did you get in?
Baye looked down in disappointment, which gave away the bad news to her mother.
Chibi: Oh, Baye...I'm so sorry...I'm sure there'll be a next time.
She walked towards her daughter and comforted her, neck in neck. Baye felt better knowing that her mother understood.
Baye: Oh, Mom. Is it alright if I stay over at Mr. Moody's place for dinner?
Chibi: Huh? Again?
Baye: Yeah...W...Well...to be honest…
She began looking down to the floor, continuing with…
Baye: ...It's for a different reason...You see...I...I was...robbed...last night…
Chibi: *gasps* Oh, my baby!
She comforted her once again, knowing just how scary it was for her daughter.
Baye: ...I'm sorry I never said anything about it this morning...I was...scared…
Chibi: It's alright...At least you weren't harmed…
Baye: ...I know Dad's gonna be mad, but tonight, Mr. Moody's gonna help me catch that thief.
Chibi: Hmm...Well, I don't know how your father's gonna feel about that, but at least you're in capable hands.
Baye: ...Thanks, Mom.
Chibi: You're welcome, sweetie. *kisses Baye on her forehead* Please be careful out there.
Baye: I will, Mom. See you later!
Chibi: Bye!
As Baye left to reach Happy's house, the cloaked Pokemon was watching her every move.
?: ...So...She wishes death...So be it...
...
Several hours later until night fell, Baye arrived at Happy and Moody's cabin and finished eating dinner. Moody had discussed with them over dinner what the plan would be to catch the thief.
Moody: Alright, now remember what I told you, Baye. You set off with the saddlebags in tow, and when the thief strikes, we'll jump in. Got it?
Baye: I got it. (...Although I feel like I'm the bait…)
Happy: I wanna play tag!
Moody: Sorry Happy, but you're too young to be involved.
Happy: Aw, come on Grandpa!
Moody: No means no. I care about you, and I won't let anything happen to you under my watch.
Baye: ...Just do it, Happy. We'll be fine.
Moody: Tell you what, if you stay here, I'll take you to see somebody sometime this week, okay?
Happy: Okay! I can't wait! *laughs*
Moody: Alright, Baye. Let's go.
She nodded in response. Her and Moody set off into the woods to carry out their plan, which involved the saddlebags. Only Baye walked alone, feeling terrified along the way with Moody hiding in plain sight as he followed her. He sensed something or someone in the area, which put him on edge.
Moody: (...We're being watched...Could it be…?)
He looked up into the trees, which he believed that it was the thief hiding. As Baye continued walking on the trail, the orange cloaked Pokemon appeared from the shadows and pulled a knife to her neck. She felt the cold metal touch her neck, almost as if it could freeze her.
?: So...you snitched…
Baye: W-W-Wha...No! I-I-I uh…
?: Shut it, bitch! Your neck's gonna look good above a mantle piece!
Moody: Hold it.
He stepped out of the shadows, which caught the cloaked Pokemon by surprise.
?: Tch! You set me up!
Baye: Serves you right!
Moody: You must be the "saddlebag thief" that the newspapers were talking about. Stealing is one thing, but stealing from a close friend of mine is going too far.
?: Stay out of this, old geezer!
Moody: *stares coldly* Sorry, but this is something I have to get involved in.
?: Shit!
Moody: If you're thinking about running away, don't. My vines can catch you before you flee.
?: ...You're making a big mistake, you know…
Moody: Oh, how so?
?: Hmm…
The cloaked Pokemon took off the veil, revealing himself. The Pokemon appeared to be a red Kecleon with his frills, mouth and toes being white. The stripe on his midsection was a deep green, which matched the colors of the grass. His appearance surprised both Baye and Moody, as they were caught off guard by his color.
Moody: (...A Kecleon…)
?: Like I said, you're making a big mistake. I'm Klepto. Nice to meet you. And soon to steal a life...or two for the price of one… *chuckles*
...