This is the second part to my Pokemon Journey: A New Generation series. It is highly recommended to read the previous part before continuing with this part if you haven't already. I hope you enjoy!
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The sun was shining bright over the Hoenn Region as Blaire walked excitedly down Route 101, her Pokemon, Oshawott, waddling happily next to her. Everywhere Blaire looked Pokemon were there, in the trees, in the tall grass, flying through the air, and swimming in the ponds to the left and right of her. When Blaire was in school, she was never able to come in direct contact with Pokemon so she thought she would be scared to come in contact with so many Pokemon, but she wasn't. She was amazed at all of the Pokemon that surrounded her.
"I can't wait to catch and be friends with all of you," she said to no Pokemon in particular. She stopped then, the words she'd just spoken registering with her. "Hang on... How does Professor Juniper expect me to catch any Pokemon without any Pokeballs?" Blaire remembered then how quickly she had rushed out of the lab after Professor Juniper had given Oshawott to her. I ran out of the lab right after the professor had given Oshawott to me. I never even gave her enough time to give me any Pokeballs or anything else. Blaire was beginning to turn and rush back to the lab before Professor Juniper could leave when she heard the sound of large wings beating against the wind, and a voice calling her name. She looked up and almost screamed at the sight of a giant bird soaring down straight towards her. As it neared, the Pokemon stretched out its crimson wings and Blaire could see the silhouette of a person riding on its back. She took a few steps back, nearly tripping over Oshawott as the Pokemon landed and, to Blaire's astonishment, Professor Juniper was jumping off of the bird's back. Blaire recognized the Pokemon then by its unmistakable color scheme: red, white, and blue, and realized then that it was a Braviary. She had studied about them in school and had always wanted to see one in person.
"Professor Juniper," Blaire said, still a bit flustered. "You're timing couldn't be more perfect. I just realized that I ran off from the lab in a hurry before you could give me any Pokeballs. I'm glad that you-"
"Listen to me, Blaire. Oh gosh, I should not have started you on this journey. It's not safe for you." Blaire noticed then how nervous and distraught Professor Juniper looked.
"Professor," Blaire said, worried. "What's bothering you, and what do you mean this journey is too dangerous for me. What's happening, Professor?"
The professor began pacing back and forth. "You can't go on this journey, Blaire. They're more corrupt than anyone realizes. They take advantage of the older trainers that come through, especially the girls." Professor Juniper began mumbling to herself and even Blaire, someone who hadn't even known her for a whole day, knew that was out of character for her.
"Professor, slow down. What are you talking about? Who is more corrupt than people realize?" Professor Juniper wouldn't stop though. She had gone a bit crazy over whatever it was that she knew but wasn't telling Blaire. She stepped towards the professor then and yelled at her. "Professor!" Professor Juniper stopped pacing and looked at Blaire, nervousness and surprise on her face. "Please, calm down and tell me what's going on." The professor let out a slow breath then.
"Yes," she said. "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry, I just had some rather horrible memories come back to me. There's something that no one, save a select few, knows about the Gym Leaders of all the regions. Something that the Pokemon League manages to keep covered up very well."
"What is it?" Blaire asked, her interest peaked.
"They're all corrupt, Blaire. All of them. All the way up to the Champion herself. They're all sick and corrupt and, worst of all, they target young adults like yourself. They don't lure in the younger kids or older adults, just you."
"What do you mean 'corrupt'? Are they evil like Team Rocket, trying to recruit young adults to overthrow the world?" Blaire learned a lot about Team Rocket and the other evil teams that tried to control the world throughout the years: Team Rocket, Team Aqua, Team Galactic, Team Plasma, Team Flare, and Team Skull.
"Professor, multiple groups have tried and failed to take over the world. What makes you think that it'll go any better this time around?" Juniper shook her head.
"It's not the same. They've been doing this for years and they managed to keep it hidden the whole time. They got to me when I was around your age and your the first person I've ever told this to, despite everything they did. I was able to get over it and make something good out of my life, but some people weren't so lucky. Some people still act like slaves to the Pokemon League." Juniper began to pace again.
"Well, in my eyes, they're just another evil team to be stopped and that is exactly what I'm going to do! Im going to face every single Gym Leader, destroy them in battle, make it all the way to the Pokemon Champion, and beat her too. Then I'll be the new Champion and I can find out exactly what's going on and put a stop to it." Blaire had a confidently persistent gleam in her eye as she envisioned taking down the Champion in battle and using her newfound power to wash away all of the corruption that lived within the Pokemon League. Juniper didn't seem so sure though.
"No, you can't! You'll get sucked in just like I did and won't be able to get out!"
"I won't want to get out of it. No matter what, no matter how hard things get, I won't give up until I beat the Champion and turn everything around." Blaire turned and began running down the path, completely forgetting about the Pokeballs she meant to ask for. Juniper ran after her, trying to catch her before she could make the worst mistake of her life, but Blaire was younger and had more energy. It didn't take long for Professor Juniper to become too tired, a sharp stitch in her side, and finally stop running. She watched on defeated as Blaire ran over the top of a hill and disappeared over the other side, Oshawaott doing its best to keep up with her. She stood up and began walking back to where she'd left Braviary. I should've tackled her, thrown a Pokeball at her head, sent Braviary after her, something to stop her from running into a situation that she didn't understand. I just didn't know what to do. She and Braviary soared into the air and looked around for Blaire, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"She probably ran into a building nearby," juniper said to Braviary. "She's on her own for now and I hope things go better for her than they did for me all those years ago. "
In Oldale Town, a small town just past Route 101, Blaire ran through the doors of a Pokemon Center, the idea of becoming the heroine of her own region still fresh in her mind, and ran up to the lady at the front counter. The woman wore pink clothes covered over with a white apron. She had long, pink hair put up into a complicated-looking bow, and a warm, pretty face that only grew prettier when she smiled at Blaire. .
"Good morning," the woman said. "Welcome to the Oldale Town Pokemon Center. My name is Nurse Joy, how may I help you?"
Blaire took a few breaths before blurting out, "Where's the nearest Pokemon Gym?!" Nurse Joy looked taken aback, but kept the warm, helpful smile on her face nevertheless.
