The dark haired boy opened the his mother's album. He closely examined his parents' faces. Each photo was a memory of a time when they were all together. He could feel the cold snow. He could smell his mother's lilac perfume. He could hear his father's laugh. His eyes burned with tears, but a smile stretched across his face.

"Thanks, Mom," The dark haired boy said to the computer screen.

"Of course, Devlin. I meant to give it to you when you turned eighteen, but I couldn't wait."

"Is this because of your new job?"

"Honey, I'm sorry. This job was important. It's a great opportunity for both of us."

"I know. Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

"You weren't. Listen, I have to go back to work. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there today. Goodbye, Hun. I love you."

"I love you too, mom." Devlin turned the computer off and walked back into the living room. Christopher stood in the middle of the room in a ridiculous position as his grandmother and Sarah laughed. He sat down in his grandfather's leather chair with a chuckle. The focus now shifted to him, as did an item wrapped in newspaper.

"That one's mine," Christopher said with a wide grin, "Happy Birthday!"

Devlin ripped the newspaper from the ball shaped figure, revealing a golden nugget. "I found that nugget a few days ago with my itemfinder. It sells well at shops, so I'm sure you'll get something cool for it."

"Well, thanks, dude. We'll go to Celadon soon, how's that sound?"

At that moment, the doorbell rang. "Sooner than you think," Christopher spoke under his breath, a smug smile on his face. Devlin puzzled over this for a second as his grandmother answered the door.

"Oh, Professor, welcome." Devlin's grandmother came back to the room with a man slightly younger than herself.

"Thank you," said the professor, "this is a special situation." Professor Oak took a seat on the couch. "Hello, Christopher, Sarah. Is it time for the other gift?"

"Yeah, I think so," Sarah answered the question with a smile.

"Well, then, let's go to my lab."

Christopher and Sarah quickly got to their feet, eager with anticipation. Devlin joined them, his curiosity apparent on his face. The five of them exited the building and headed towards the lab. Several children were out playing today, running in the open fields and dirt roads. Many of them stopped to wave or stare at the Pokemon Professor. Devlin noticed several of the children begin to follow them. By the time they had reached the lab, a large group was gathered around the bottom of the stairs. Devlin watched the children laugh and cheer until the door closed behind them. "Welcome to my lab. Please follow me."

Devlin an his friends continued to follow the professor through the lab until they found themselves outside again. The three look around, completely astonished by all of the Pokemon. Among them, there were many creatures not native to the area. "This is where stored Pokemon are kept," explained the professor. "Trainers like Red and Green have provided these Pokemon when they already have six with them. The majority of these Pokemon are, in fact, wild. Some are the children of the Pokemon stored, and others gather here because of the sheer numbers already here. Your grandmother and friends have arranged for you to capture one of these Pokemon for yourself."

Devlin looked amazed. "So I can..." he muttered, "So I can have any one I want?"

Professor Oak laughed. "As long as someone doesn't already it." The professor handed the three kids five pokeballs each. They ran off into the fields, laughing, ready to catch their first Pokemon.