"Bzzz."
Vespiquen was very pleased with their current progress. She fluttered her wings elegantly as she inspected the spacious underground area excavated through the combined efforts of the Bibarel family, Celebi, and Orthworm.
Dozens of Combee bustled back and forth, following Vespiquen's instructions as they mixed the resin and nectar they had gathered with special saliva, beginning to build the framework of amber-colored chambers along the cave walls.
The so-called Amber City was, simply put, an enormous beehive. Given the current size of Vespiquen's colony, the cave was already quite suitable.
"Labi."
Celebi nodded. There were fewer than ten days left until Tong Hua's birthday. They had to hurry up and finish, then brew some "terrifyingly sweet Sweet Lick Honey."
"We need to hurry up and prepare the other presents too. We probably don't need to worry about Pink Celebi and the others.
"All that's left is making sure we keep the surprise a secret until his birthday. How can we make sure Tong Hua stays away from this cave-"
Celebi's little brain raced, and soon, a brilliant idea came to mind.
"Brim!"
When Hattrem heard Celebi's request, her beady eyes immediately lit up. She clenched her little hands into fists and agreed without hesitation.
"You just need to keep that guy busy, right? Leave it to me!
"With me here, I'll lock him straight in the basement and make him focus entirely on studying alchemy! Brim!"
Hattrem waved her little hands confidently, the curls on her head bobbing slightly with excitement.
She had long felt that Tong Hua's talent for alchemy was being held back by miscellaneous chores, what with all his traveling and farming. This was the perfect opportunity to make him "train in seclusion."
"Labi!" Celebi happily flew a circle around Hattrem. Now the plan was foolproof.