>>20729563It's something I noticed rather recently. I'm not sure if it's implying the rarity is due to poaching, or if Rocket targeted the already rare mons, but either way can work.
Rocket owns Celadon, their freedom they roam the streets makes this clear. It's also the only city in the region with enough money to warrant a department store, and has a steady cashflow coming through a rather empty casino. It's interesting to note that Neo-Rocket's main target was also a metropolitan city with a Game Corner and Dept. Store, and classic Rocket's other main target was the region's second-largest city, a large town with a thriving manufacturing industry. Rocket looks to expand their territory within Kanto and beyond while fostering a false image of legitimacy, much like the Yakuza. Giovanni was 'secretly' the Viridian Gym Leader, much like some Yakuza are openly community leaders, complete with police escorts.
But why bother explaining that to a ten year old? It's easier if we just tell him we want strong Pokemon. 
