Kris woke up, and took a second to take in her surroundings. At first, it seemed unfamiliar, before she realised that she had slept over at Ethan's place that night. She yawned, and went downstairs to get some food.

"Morning, Mrs Gold," Kris said, arriving on the ground floor.

"Morning, Kris. How's Ethan."

"Sleeping in."

"Well, I need him to wake up. Professor Elm sent for the two of you. Lyra looked really excited when she delivered the message."

"…Fine, we'll go. Ethan! We've got to get to Elm's!"

"Coming, Kris…"

"Ah, it's you two. I've been hoping to see you for quite some time now."

"Ethan slept in… I dunno what he was up to."

Professor Elm slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose, looking at Ethan. Ethan sighed nervously. No matter how hard he tried, someone was on his case. Kris was his only friend because she wasn't always trying to improve him.

"Well… you see… I need you two to make a stop at Mr. Pokémon's house. He's made some discovery, but… I'm really busy right now, and you're the only one I can trust, Kris. And take Ethan with you… he could use the assistance."

"Can you not talk about him like he can't understand you?"

"Oh, sorry. But you two, I'd like you to take one of these Pokémon apiece. Wild Pokémon run rampant in the tall grass, and having something to stop you getting savaged is important."

Kris doubted it, but she went to the machine where Elm stored his three options. She slid through them, and found the one she liked.

KRIS received CHIKORITA!

"My turn!"

ETHAN received CYNDAQUIL!

"Do you want to give a nickname to your starters?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"How about… Cynder?"

"Cynder, huh? Good one, Ethan." Professor Elm sighed, and Kris knew he disapproved of Ethan. She shrugged.

"Before you leave, may I get your Pokégear number?" Kris gave him the digits, and they left to go see Mr. Pokémon.

Past Cherrygrove City, Mr. Pokémon's house was easily identifiable. Kris tentatively entered, while Ethan was content to play with Cynder.

"Hello there, young girl. My name is Professor Oak. I'm a leading expert in the field of Pokémon. Nice to meet you."

"Kris is the name, Oak. But I'm here to collect something from Mr. Pokémon."

"Oh, hello, Kris! Elm send you, huh?" Mr. Pokémon was on the balls of his feet, really excited about his find. "So, you see, this is my discovery. It's an Egg. It seems to be a Pokémon Egg. Elm might be able to find out more about Eggs using this Egg!"

"Whoa, whoa! I'll do the delivery. But I missed parts of that. I'll tell what I know to Elm."

"And before you go, Kris… I have a request for you. Can you help me fill up a Pokédex on the Pokémon of the Johto region?"

"…If I have time." Mr. Pokémon gave a chuckle. Professor Oak did not. He gave Kris the Pokédex, and left for some business. Kris followed suit.

*RING* *RING*

"Hah… hoo… hee… There's been a theft! It's… horrible! Come quick!"

Ethan and Kris ran as fast as they could to try and get to New Bark Town. But they were stopped in Cherrygrove City by a suspicious individual.

"Hello, little girl… how about a Pokémon battle?"

"How about no, jerk!"

"Oh, come on! I stole this Pokémon! It must be good." Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"You did not just say that. And keep away from Kris!"

? wants to battle!

? sent out TOTODILE!

Go! Cynder!

"Cynder! Conjure up a Smokescreen attack, and Tackle him from a surprise direction!"

"Totodile, dodge that attack!"

Totodile leaped into the air, as Cynder sprayed it's smoke everywhere. Totodile dive-bombed where Cynder began, but was too slow. Cynder chipped off its remaining HP with a Tackle, and Totodile was a goner.

"…I hate you too, you alligator! And YOU! My name is Jory. Remember it and weep!" He ran away, bumping past them.

"What a jerk! And did he say he stole that Totodile? If you have Cyndaquil, and I have Chikorita, that left Totodile at Elm's… Elm's is the only place past here, meaning…"

"My Totodile has been stolen!"

"We know who took it!" Kris exclaimed, coming to Elm's rescue. The policeman looked up.

"What can you tell us about this thief?"

"He's got red hair, his name is Jory, and he's about this mean," Ethan rattled off, spreading his arms to prove his point.

"Ethan, now is not the time!"

"It's true, Elm. He stopped us, and didn't seem to hide the fact he stole a Totodile. He's also abusing the poor thing already."

"Hm… WAIT! Did you say you battled him! Thank the stars you won! I just remembered!"

"What?"

"You two need Battle Rings! I'll go get some from storage." Elm left.

"Alright, Kris, was it?" the policeman asked.

"Yep. My name's Kris, and this is my… uh… well, his name's Ethan."

"Thank you for your help. We will now commence our search to apprehend this red-haired individual, name of Jory." The policeman took off, and Elm returned.

"Here you are. Oh, and what did Mr. Pokémon want?" Kris showed him the Egg.

"Hm… an Egg? Could be, could be… I'll take this, and give it some study. As for you two… well… if you could beat that Totodile without a Battle Ring, I have my doubts you'll struggle with the League Challenge."

"You mean the Gym Badges? Sure, I'll get them. Me and Ethan… we're a team. Chikorita and Cynder can take down any foe, no problem!"

Irony: I started this story before coming up with an anniversary celebration, but finished after the celebration was all but prepared, as planned. My plans fall into place without my input.

Johto is a bit more complicated than Kanto. Some features in Kanto will get some expansions for Johto. I won't say which, but...

Kanto won't be included in Rebirth. It took some planning, but I'm not writing essentially a watered-down Red With Rage subplot. That, and I think Lt. Surge has been fired.

The Pokemon Master's Choice will continue as scheduled throughout the story. Notes are only in the first and last chapters. Signouts only in the last.