[HIDE=ENCOUNTER 2]
[IMG]https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/trainers/biker.png[/IMG][IMG]https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/trainers/roughneck.png[/IMG]
"Th-there! That's enough of a look! We're out of here!" The bikers recall their Pokemon from astride their motorcycle, and the crowd parts ahead of them as they brazenly make their exit. Distant sirens are finally making themselves heard, and Artemis nudges you. It's time to make yourselves scarce and find a new place of privacy to discuss your findings.
***
[IMG size="80x80"]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rasalhage/CAPBBP/refs/heads/master/BattleFacilities/HowMuch_Maribelle.png[/IMG]
"Those were definitely not Minerva," says Maribelle out loud, as much to herself as to any of you. For a moment, there's only the clack of the streetcar on the tracks to listen to. The cabin you four are riding in is quite private; it could seat perhaps ten at most, and you four have it to yourself at the moment. Maribelle looks up at the group and continues, "Minerva has life and energy to her. She listens attentively and always wants to interact with new people. Those... copies, were more like dolls just hanging loosely..." she trails off at the end, losing herself in thought for a moment. Minerva must clearly be a very special Pokemon, you decide, and you tell Maribelle as such. She nods with certainty.
[IMG]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rasalhage/CAPBBP/master/BattleFacilities/SeasonalEvents/2022HowMuch/Artemis%20Event.png[/IMG]
"That's an understatement," Artemis replies. "The Pike has more than a few unusual Pokemon under its roof, and plenty that are more powerful, but Minerva might be the one that raises the most questions." As a response, you muse aloud that finding a professor willing to have a look wouldn't be hard at all, if Minerva is so unique.
Maribelle shakes her head with insistence. "Not a chance. Minerva's not just some rare specimen or find. She's the last family I have left. I don't need to know more about her than that." Her last statement raises your eyebrow, and you can sense that you're entering into emotional territory.
"You're probably about to say; what if she ever needed... Medicine? Repair? You'd be right." Maribelle hesitates, trying to piece together complex feelings into a coherent thought. "Maribelle, you don't have to say any more unless you want to," Artemis tries to say soothingly, but Maribelle is too deep in thought to respond. You can visibly see her breathing and expression calm as she manages to assemble her statement.
"Not long after I learned to battle, I think, my grandpa put together a gadget that he called his 'Emotive Device'. I remember being just, completely awestruck. When you held it, you could feel what the previous holders felt when they held it." Maribelle's storytelling pace picks up as she continues, "So I started asking my grandpa to drive me to libraries, and to help me look up things about machines. He was so confused, since I was trying to learn to battle too, but went with it without complaining." She can't help but smirk slightly as she recalls dear childhood memories. "And day by day, week by week, I would sneak back into that attic to work on a doll to hold the device. And I had to keep coming up with decoy gadgets to work on in my room, to throw grandpa off of my trail!"
Maribelle continues her story. "Anyway, I got her working. Imagine my surprise when she introduces herself out loud, the moment she lights up! Loud enough for my grandpa to hear, and he came barging upstairs with a bat and a flashlight, scaring the daylights out of me." At this point, she's completely engrossed in the telling, and even Artemis can't help but smile ever-so-slightly. "The very first thing he did when he saw it was just me was, well, swear as loud as he could manage and drop the bat somewhere offhand. He thought we were being robbed!" Maribelle chuckles. "The second thing he did was ask me, if I had told even a single soul about the doll while I was getting the books or the tools in town. And I told him; not a chance, because I was too scared of him grounding me if he found out I was using his device!"
"He grounded me for three months, for the record, for taking the device without permission. Which was probably fair." Maribelle admits flatly. "But, he let me name the doll—guess the name, if you can—and he let her stay in the main house with the other Pokemon. But she wasn't to be allowed outside, ever; and I wasn't to mention her to anyone, ever. All of that seemed so paranoid until now, but so obvious in hindsight." The dimming sunlight as the afternoon blends into evening sets appropriate ambiance for the change in Maribelle's tone. "Skipping a bunch of stuff here, I left Minerva with grandpa while I went to a boarding high school here in Arkland owing to my studies in battling and general machinery—double major. And not a year into that, I got a package from my grandpa."
You gulp, but Maribelle stays firm in her retelling. "The package contained an old-style carved ball... Minerva's ball. And I haven't heard anything from him since. So I inherited Minerva, the house, and a few other Pokemon besides." She keeps her misty eyes focused forward with admirable strength. "Not long after that, I started working at the Pike, since it's here in Arkland and my studies were applicable." Artemis tilts her head in thought. "I had forgotten that you were hired under Tabitha. It feels like an eternity ago." Maribelle nods, "Mhm. I've worked there ever since." Knowing that someone has gone missing related to these events; Artemis' request for secrecy, and their non-participation in the altercation in the boulevard, now make sense.
"This is our stop, ahead," Artemis interrupts by indicating the approaching rail landing, sparing you any further awkwardness. As the standing doors open, the cooling afternoon wind clears the air in the cabin in perfect metaphorical fashion. Maribelle thanks the two of you for listening to her story, and you say that she should think nothing of it. The four of you disembark as soon as the inflow of passengers stops, and walk up the hill towards the Acumen building as quickly as you feel you can, without attracting undue attention.
***
Even having taken most of the trip by rail, the uphill walk to approach Acumen headquarters is grueling. You remember that previously, the bus dropped you off quite close to your destination; but neither Artemis nor Maribelle wanted to take a method of travel where they couldn't disembark at will. You decide to plainly state your conclusion, that Acumen is involved in Maribelle's family troubles.
[IMG]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rasalhage/CAPBBP/master/BattleFacilities/SeasonalEvents/2022HowMuch/Artemis%20Event.png[/IMG]
"Clearly so," answers Artemis. As the four of you move with the bustling foot traffic of the main streets, back among the skyscrapers, she elaborates on her thinking. "Someone must be involved in the production of these counterfeit Minerva models, and for them to turn up so soon after the original goes missing is incriminating on its own."
[IMG size="80x80"]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rasalhage/CAPBBP/refs/heads/master/BattleFacilities/HowMuch_Maribelle_Coat.png[/IMG]
Maribelle adds on, "And those guys said they were running from 'bowl-cut dorks'. That sounds like some people we're already familiar with, doesn't it?" You nod in agreement, and all four of you pick up the pace as best you can.
"Speaking of," says Artemis, showing no signs of weariness. "You didn't finish explaining their interest in Minerva." Maribelle tries to catch a breath without slowing the group's ascent, and then answers. "It's obvious, right? They wanted to make copies of Minerva for some reason." Artemis shakes her head and clarifies. "You're avoiding my question. You said back at the restaurant that they were interested, before we saw the replicas. How long have you suspected Acumen?"
Maribelle avoids Artemis' gaze, but answers plainly. "Probably... since the break-in, at least." Artemis answers sharply, "And you didn't say anything to us? You shouldn't have kept this to- Hang on, wait. How did you know it was Acumen from the break-in?" You trudge along behind them, trying to keep up with the pair and ignore the burning of your lungs. You can't fathom how they manage to hold so much conversation while on a mid-city mountain hike.
"A few months before, right after I started working at the Pike, I was visited by a recruiter of theirs at school. They were interested in my 'automation projects', even though I hadn't shown Minerva to anyone, which should have been a massive red flag at the time." Maribelle takes another deep breath without breaking her stride, and continues. "After that visit, I started getting emails from them, and then physical letters, and later I would get fliers taped to my locker or my door." Artemis balks at this. "That's horrifying. I had no idea—again, why didn't you say something?"
"I... didn't want to make trouble." At this, Artemis rolls her eyes in exasperation. Maribelle continues unperturbed. "I didn't want to make problems for all of you on my first month on the job, and as things went on I just got used to keeping it to myself. And I was so busy, that sometimes it would honestly slip my mind. I was doing school, and working with you all, and taking care of a bunch of Pokemon I was suddenly the trainer of. Oh, and remember, I inherited a house. I had-I still have to pay for that! I was more scared of losing the Pike job than I was of being stalked!" Artemis can only shake her head in disbelief, "You know how we think of you. I wish you would have let us help you with this long ago." Maribelle's expression mixes guilt and care. "I know how you all think of me now. And now I have to try to make this right."
***
The two of you arrive at the corner across from the towering Acumen headquarter building, and you raggedly catch your breath. Artemis and Maribelle, having arrived moments before, have stopped near the crossing to formulate their plan. Artemis directs your attention to the main doors, and says, "If we can get a tour, we can find out what areas are open to the public, and which areas are off-limits. How we get in to those areas... We can figure that out later." The four of you take a moment to hash out the specifics. Then, with this simple plan, the four of you take the next available crossing and make your way over to the entrance doors. When you approach the receptionist, he pulls himself from his slouch into alertness. He asks how he can help, and Artemis gives her prepared reply regarding getting a tour.
[IMG]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rasalhage/CAPBBP/refs/heads/master/BattleFacilities/SeasonalEvents/2022HowMuch/Acumen%20M.png[/IMG]
The receptionist says in monotone "If you could wait just a moment, I'd be happy to take a look for you," and begins rapdily tapping away on his watch. "Tours are currently on hiatus pending renovation," he curtly replies. "Reservations for tours are on backfill, with schools and manufacturing partners getting priority-"
[IMG]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rasalhage/CAPBBP/refs/heads/master/BattleFacilities/SeasonalEvents/2022HowMuch/Acumen%20F.png[/IMG]
He is cut off by the rapid approach of a coworker, labeled as a guide, who cheerily puts her phone away and says, "You're Maribelle Aspen, VIP, right? Glad to finally meet you! We'd be delighted to show you around the main areas of the project. If you would follow us?" The receptionist looks at his coworker and says, "Us?" Artemis and Maribelle exchange glances, and then look to you. Artemis turns her hand up in the gesture you four had agreed upon—-meaning 'play along'. Maribelle nods. "Lead the way."
***
The Acumen workers lead the four of you to a lavish brass-doored elevator, ushering you inside. Once the door closes, the receptionist continues to fiddle with his watch in an attempt to look busy. The guide merrily bounces on her heels and says, "My employer is just thrilled that you're considering our offer at last! I've been sent to deliver you to her directly." Maribelle sheepishly replies, "Is that so?" The guide continues, "Just so! We take responsibility for the project failing to meet your standards, and we're sorry the results haven't been to your liking so far. But with your help I bet we can finally produce a fully functional model!" She holds her fists to her chests and closes her eyes, seeming to fantasize about who-knows-what.
The elevator places your group on a switchover floor; a large landing where many other elevators to yet-higher floors are available. Some of these elevators are secured with passkey scanners. The floor is finely furnished with tables for working or eating, and there are handful of employees on the floor minding their own; most of them in the same garish Acumen uniforms.
The workers lead you across the space, eyes fixed forward. The receptionist shuffles uncomfortably while the guide prattles on. "Imagine my surprise, Ms. Aspen, when I learned you were so young! I mean no offense, but the project is so elaborate—you're clearly very experienced already! If I may ask, how did you get so good?" She pauses for an answer, but no answer is forthcoming. Your group stops, and she turns around.
Maribelle is missing, to everyone's surprise. Before anyone can say a word, they're approached by another Acumen worker; seemingly a researcher.
[IMG size="80x80"]https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/trainers/scientist-gen6.png[/IMG]
"Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to have seen a passkey? I swear I just had it..." You each share an understanding glance with Artemis.
The guide covers her mouth in shock. "Uh oh." She begins to reach for her phone, but Artemis gets her attention and says, "This is a big place. Could you help us find her?" The guide takes a moment to reply, saying "What do you- Oh." Her prior enthusiasm and pep instantly vanish, and her tone changes to exhasperation. "I get it. This is espionage."
Ah, well. She pauses a moment, then adds, "I was really hoping you were here to helm the project. We get commission for those models, you know. But if you're not with us, then you know what they say."
The researcher makes a peep and begins to shuffle away, and receptionist says in shock, "Wait, right here!?" The guide says "I'm terribly sorry. If you're obstructing my employer's efforts, we may have no choice but to escort you out." She draws a ball from her purse and nudges the receptionist to do the same; then nudges him again, and then nudges him with considerable force. He yelps and complies this time, drawing a ball of his own.
[/HIDE]
Event Vouchers are earned from challenging Level 4 facilities, and can take some time to accumulate. When revisiting an old event, you should be sure to prepare a strong team. It can help to refer to other players' finished challenges for team ideas!
Chaperone and 
Trick-or-Treater available to them.
Spectrier Lv3
Hi-EXP Record
Nostalgia
The Harvest King (★) x1
Togekiss x1, 
Voodoom x1
Mimikyu x1, 
Wigglytuff x1
Kommo-o x1, 
Gyarados x1
Pumpkaboo-Average, 
Voodoll, 
Noibat, 
Haunter, 
Lampent, 
Hattrem, 
Golbat, 
Ariados
Piercing Astral Barrage
Rage Candybar
Dragonite Lv0
EXP Record, 1x
Lo-EXP Record.
Super Potion
Eject Button
Oran Berry
Red Card
Shell Bell
Sticky Barb
Weakness Policy
Enigma Berry / Focus Sash / Life Orb / Leftovers / Leftovers / Power Lens
Gyaradosite / Charizardite Y / Aerodactylite
Sovereign Magnificence ( 
Sovereign Malevolence ( 
Academy Credit, 1x
Psychium Z
Steelium Z
Grassium Z/Icium Z/Rockium Z
Focus Sash/Life Orb/Choice Specs
Star Pieces during the event period. (As a reminder, they must now pay normal JC costs for events.)
JC, rounded up. (As per recent Event pay changes.)
Magna's Mail and 1x
Writ of Formal Apology
Pikachu, 
Smeargle, 
Necturna,
Decidueye, 
Incineroar, 
Primarina,
Meowscarada, 
Skeledirge, 
Quaquaval
Decidueye-Hisui is excluded.)
for one player, one Level 0 Glaceon 
for the other
Potion
Choice Band
Choice Scarf
Cleanse Tag
Quick Claw
Safety Goggles
Stardust
Comet Shard.
Pecharunt
Safety Goggles/Magnet/Enigma Stone
.png "illus. Sasonoke Sakuma")
Ether
Elixir
Full Restore
Marshadow 
Darkinium-Z
An inert Pokemon, Lv0, P.Lv -3, No Unlocks
Bushwack (Tangrowth), Lv3, P.Lv -2, No Unlocks
Broadside(Rampardos), Lv3, P.Lv -2, No Unlocks
Wide Lens,
Bright Powder, 2x 
Aggronite
Nidoqueen, Lv3, P.Lv -2, No Unlocks
Kitsunoh, Lv3, P.Lv -2, No Unlocks
Power Weight,
Wave Incense, 1x
Muk-Alola, Lv3, P.Lv -2, No Unlocks
Beheeyem, Lv3, P.Lv -2, No Unlocks
Zoom Lens, 1x 
Covert Cloak,
Power Herb, 1x 
Mawilite
Xatu, Lv3, P.Lv -1, No Unlocks
Reuniclus, Lv3, P.Lv -1, No Unlocks
Rapidash-Galar, Lv3, P.Lv -1, No Unlocks
Magnezone, Lv3, P.Lv -1, No Unlocks
Bronzong, Lv3, P.Lv -1, No Unlocks
Tinkaton, Lv3, P.Lv -1, No Unlocks
Pamtre Berry, 1x 
Black Glasses
Scope Lens
Wise Glasses
