(C) 2006 Eric Oakford.

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Pokémon (C) 2006 Nintendo/Creatures/Game Freak. This story is a fanfic made by a fan for fans. Any resemblance to video game characters was intentional. Any resemblance to anime characters however, isn't intentional. No infringement is intended.

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In this world live creatures called Pokémon. Humans and Pokémon have lived, worked, and played together in harmony for ages. Nevertheless, there are still numerous mysteries surrounding them. In order to find out more about these creatures, many scientists have dedicated their lives to Pokémon research. -Pokémon Video Game Instruction Manuals

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Welcome to the Pokémon World. The year is 2206. One part of the world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon. What are Pokémon? Pokémon are wondrous creatures shrouded in mystery. They're around the world... in tall grass, caves, mountains, towns, lakes, and the ocean. For some people, they're pets. Others use them for battles. And yet some others study them as a profession.

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It has been a year since Karl Caliduct, better known as "Red", along with his sister Hadley ("Green") and rival Kevin ("Blue") to travel through the once-unstable Kanto and disband Team Rocket. Now Kanto is once again recovering from the "natural" disasters.

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Now, we're going to Johto, one year later. Relatives of Red and Green live there. And they're going to continue the quest. Stay tuned, for the beginning of a new story in the series.

New Bark Town: Where the winds of a new beginning blow!

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New Bark Town doesn't have much. What is there of interest is Professor Elm's lab. Elm is the Pokémon Professor of Johto.

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Professor Elm had just gotten a letter for a Pokémon conference with Professor Oak, Kanto's Pokémon Professor. The thing is, Elm needs someone to raise a rare Pokémon he had just caught. And it has to be exclusively from Johto. There were Cyndaquil, Totodile, and Chikorita. Suddenly, a plan emerged. "I know what to do... go to Duncan's birthday party today!"

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A few hours later...

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"Happy birthday, Duncan!" Duncan Caliduct came into the house after school. He had just turned 14. There was Crystal, his parents, and the Elm family.

"Here you go, my little boy," his mom said. She handed him a wrapped gift.

Duncan unfurled the present – it was a PokéGear. "Pokémon Gear, or for short, PokéGear. Essential if you want to be a great trainer," his dad said. "It tells you the time, and it even does that in voice!"

"Really?"

He pushed a button, and a voice from the PokéGear said, "It is now 2:30 PM. It is Wednesday, June 8."

"Wow, it does," said Duncan.

Mom added, "And it even acts as a cellphone!"

"I'm calling Crystal!" He dialed her PokéGear, and Crystal, who was outside, answered! "Amazing!"

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After the party, in the Pokémon Lab, Professor Elm told Crystal, "Oh, yes. I needed to ask you a favor."

"What?"

"I'm conducting new Pokémon Research right now. I was wondering if you could help me with it, Crystal."

"Ask Duncan. He's the smart one."

"He doesn't seem willing to travel. You do. You see, I'm writing a paper that I want to present at a conference, but there are still some things I don't understand yet."

"So..."

"So I'd like you to raise a Pokémon that I recently caught."

"I'm afraid I'm not ready for that big of a responsibilty."

"But, please, I need your help!"

"Well, all right."

"Thanks, Kris! You're a great help! When I announce my findings, I'm sure we'll delve a bit deeper into the many mysteries of Pokémon. Count on it!"

"You've got mail!" the computer said.

"Oh, I got an e-mail," Elm said. "Hey, listen. I have an acquaintance called Mr. Pokémon."

"That's a weird name."

"He always finds rare things and raves about his discoveries."

"Never good to brag."

"Anyway, this e-mail to me says that this time it's real."

"What?"

"Intriguing, but we're busy with our Pokémon Research... that's why I offered you a Pokémon."

"What Pokémon?"

"There's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile." Elm presented Crystal a set of three PokéBalls. "Think it over carefully. Your partner is important."

Crystal studied the PokéBalls carefully. Then she picked one up and said, "I'll take this one!" She pressed the button on the ball, calling out the Pokémon in it. It had a leaf on its head, and stumps for limbs.

"That's Chikorita. It's nice to raise."

"I'm taking it and naming it Leafy! Where does Mr. Pokémon live, anyway?"

"In Cherrygrove. It's a direct route there."

"Thank you for Leafy!"

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That night, Duncan and Crystal were in bed.

"Good night, Dad," Crystal said.

Dad asked her, "So, what was Professor Elm's errand?"

"I have to go to Cherrygrove City to talk with Mr. Pokémon."

"That doesn't sound too hard. You should be proud that people rely on you."

"Good night, Mom," Duncan said.

The parents turned the lights of their rooms off. Crystal thought about Mr. Pokémon. Who could he be? In any case, she was willing to travel through Johto and beyond. They knew Johto would be safe, because Team Rocket disbanded last year.

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"Uncle Norman, I really miss Dad," Kamon said upsettingly.
"I know, Kamon. I miss him, too."

Kamon's cousin May told him, "He has to be somewhere in this world. He can't possibly vanish into thin air."

Kamon fell asleep, wondering where his father could be. He hasn't seen him since last year in Viridian City, where he was told to pack his things. Why did his dad leave without him? He dozed off into sleep...

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Three shadows entered Prof. Elm's lab. Elm was in late. The shadowed people planned to rob him of his rare Pokémon. Elm suddenly noticed the shadows, and ran after them. "Hey! Get back here!" The shadowed people ran out the window. "Oh, no. Let's see if they ran off with any Pokémon... Oh, no! They took Totodile! Only Cyndaquil is left! Tomorrow, I must tell Crystal that she must bring Duncan along!" Trouble is beginning to rise again for the Caliduct family...