Before we get started on today's chapter, I'd like to give a little thanks to a certain reviewer who has been following this story since its humble beginnings.

Review from DJ Rodriguez: Well worth the wait! Barriss is starting off to become one fine Pokémon Trainer, and already her line-up is starting off well in battles! She caught Pidgey, whom I hope she nicknames him, and defeats Joe to win some experience and learn more about the Pokémon world.

My friend, you really starting off good and strong here! This story deserves to be advertised, so I will do so on my next chapter of my Disney/Toho specials!

Keep it up!

Thank you very much for your kind words, DJ Rodriguez. Your continued support has made writing this story so much easier. Thank you so much. Okay, on to the chapter, shall we!

Dialogue Key

"Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon." = Normal Speech

'Charmeleon, the Flame Pokémon." = Thoughts

"Charizard, the Flame Pokémon." = Someone Yelling

"When competing in intense battles, Charizard's flame becomes more intense as well." = Pokédex Entry

Journey of a Beginner - Part 2

Barriss continued on her way to Pewter City with a great big smile on her face. She had just successfully caught two female Nidorans and was in a very good mood. She got curious about where her other Pokémon ended up after her party hit a total of six, so she called Professor Oak about it and asked. He told her that any additional Pokémon she catches after her party of Pokémon reaches six would be instantly transported to the Oak Pokémon Research Ranch. She can swap out Pokémon from her party and the ranch from a device known as the Pokémon PC, which is free to use for all trainers and can be accessed from any Pokémon Center.

With this information in mind, Barriss had gone back to Viridian City and made a couple of changes to her team. She swapped out her Rattata with one of her Nidoran, and her Pidgey with a Spearow she had caught. The Poké Dex says that Spearow are highly aggressive bird Pokémon, but Barriss simply approached the bird Pokémon like she would a member of her family (she's still not used to having one of those) and the little bird proved to have a docile nature, instantly taking a shine to the green skinned girl. He had settled on her shoulder and began preening Barriss's hair, even gently nipping her ear.

So now, with her spirits high and her supplies replenished, Barriss continues on her way to Pewter City where she'll test her mettle against the Gym Leader and earn the Gym Badge.

"According to my Town Map, I'm almost at Pewter City and one step closer on my quest to compete against the Indigo League. This is going to be the first of many challenges I will face as a trainer." Barriss said to herself.

She looked up at the sky and noticed the small Republic ships entering the planet's atmosphere, and narrowed her eyes. She can't sense Tarkin or any of his troops on those ships, but she wouldn't put it past the Republican Senators to send Jedi after her. She only hopes that she can put some distance between herself and them before ever having an encounter with these people.

Barriss didn't even need the Force to know that Geki had walked up to her, looking at the sky just like she was. No doubt he too saw those Republic ships just like she did. Then again, those giant hunks of metal do stick out like sore thumbs against the clear and beautiful blue sky.

"Friends of yours?" Geki asked.

"Not likely. Most likely Tarkin or the Jedi Order coming after me to finish the job, even though I've been proven a victim just like Ahsoka was." she replied before beginning to walk away. "Come with me, if you must. But I need to put more distance between myself and them."

"I can understand that." Geki said as he walked to catch up with Barriss. "You know, it's too bad you don't have a Dodrio or a Rapidash. With their speed, those guys would probably never catch up with you."

"I don't know what kind of Pokémon Dodrio and Rapidash are, but I'm certain they'd still catch up easily if they used flying vehicles."

"What are they after you for, anyway? I don't think Gramps told me."

Barriss closed her eyes and sighed through her nose as she was asked this question. She knew that, eventually, somebody would ask her that question. She just wished she would have more time on her journey before she'd have to tell anyone. True, she knows that her name has been cleared, but even so, she's still the one who commited those vile acts. If she were to tell Geki why the Republic is trying so hard to get her back, especially when they're on neutral ground (as this planet is not allied with the Republic or the Separatists), then what will he think?

Will he still think of her as a friend? DOES he even think of her as a friend? Or will he turn his back on her and turn her over to Republic troopers without even giving her a chance to explain the full story?

She honestly doesn't want to take that risk. Barriss doesn't want to go back to that Republic prison cell where the Dark Side continued to fester within her like an infection, thus rendering her temporarily feral and insane. But Professor Oak knew her story. So did her new family.

And they all gave her a chance.

Turning to Geki, she made her choice.

"Let me start from the beginning…"

*To Be Continued…*

Thank you guys and gals so much for reading. Don't forget to vote on the poll on my profile. May the Force be with you, and have a great day!