Disclaimer:

Jordan: Let's just say that the owner doesn't own Pokemon.

Camilla: All rights go to...someone else?

New Bark, New Start

A man ran toward us a little clumsily.

He had short scruffy brown hair and his skin was shaded a bit darker that fair, his glasses were close to falling off his face, he was carrying a clipboard and papers, the papers threatened to rip themselves away from the clipboard as he ran against the wind.

He was wearing a white lab coat the loosely hung off his thin form. He had dark blue trousers and a pale greet t-shirt scarcely hidden under his lab coat. As he reached us he dropped a pen that was in his hand, I saw a few in the top pocket of his lab coat.

'Did Samuel send you?' He asked us.

I had to rack my brain for who Samuel was.

I couldn't find where the name was from.

'Samuel Oak, did he send you?' The man asked when we couldn't produce an answer.

Did this man mean professor Oak, not really sent us, we came off our own accord.

'Professor Oak?' Camilla asked.

'You're students of Samuel?' This man asked.

'Students?' I asked.

'I was expecting trainers.' This man said.

'Wait.' I started, this man was talking too quickly. 'We are Pokemon trainers from the Kanto region, professor Oak did not send us, we came here by ourselves.'

'He told me three trainers were arriving from the Kanto region.' This man replied. 'I'm guessing they're you three.' the man guessed.

I didn't know what to say, but professor Oak probably meant us, I didn't know any other trainers that were on their way here, well besides Leaf and Liam, but that was only two, not three.

The man turned and walked away, I didn't know whether to follow him or stay put.

He turned back to face us.

'Why don't you join me in my lab?' He asked.

We followed quickly rushing up behind him as he led the way across the small town and into his lab.

It wasn't as grand outside as professor Oaks, it also looked a little smaller.

We went in and found out the floor was tiled the same colour as this man's shirt, the walls were white and there were six large white bookshelves all staked with books. At the back was a white table with three silver cases on it, at the back on the left wall was a machine that looked like it once held three Pokéballs, but they were no longer present. There was one other person in here, a girl, she was reading a book and taking notes.

This man turned to face us as we neared the back of the lab. Then it clicked.

'I am professor Robert Elm.' The man said. He tried to sound important, he probably was here, but his look did not suit how he tried to seem, big and intimidating were the opposite of how he seemed.

Of course this was the professor of this region, Professor Oak once mentioned that all other regions had other professors with their own speciality. But this professor Elm, seemed all too clumsy and quick-paced, like he was trying too hard.

'I had to catch these three earlier this morning, Samuel gave me almost no time to prepare for you three, there were trainers starting today who have already left for their journey, but who knows, you may meet them.' Professor Elm stated.

Three trainers had already started today, to be fair it was the afternoon, I gained my Pokemon in Kanto, early in the morning.

'Professor, you said these three.' Camilla pointed out. 'What did you mean these three?' Camilla asked.

Professor Elm went to one of the cases on the table and opened it up.

Inside were three Pokéballs.

'Inside each of these Pokéballs is one of the starter Pokemon new trainers are given to start their journey.'but I wasn't sure how many Brock had.

I thought back to how it was when I only had Blastoise, but when it was a Squirtle. I had been so happy that I had my first Pokemon, but the trouble with this was I would have six Pokemon and not the one.

So we were being given another Pokemon, that would bring my team up to seven and Camilla's would be up to six. Could I carry seven Pokemon?

I looked to my belt and realized there were only six pockets for Pokéballs. Although since Pikachu wasn't technically in his Pokéball, I could carry another, right?

Brock and Camilla looked at me with puzzled looks before something hit me.

'Start their journey?' I asked.

'Yes, you're starting your journey through Johto.' Professor Elm told us. 'You have to start anew in every region.' He added.

'Start anew?' Brock asked.

'All the Pokemon you caught in Kanto will not be allowed to travel with you through Johto.' professor Elm explained.

'What?' All three of us exclaimed in unison.

'Every Pokemon you caught in Kanto will have to stay there.' The professor told us.

I looked at Pikachu, I wouldn't be allowed to travel with my best friend through this region, or any other, who knows when I'd see him again.

'Pika?' He asked confused before he hung his head with his ears low.

As if we didn't have enough goodbyes with Marowak leaving, now we'd have to leave all of our other Pokemon.

All my Pokéballs wriggled in denial, I couldn't face my other Pokemon, saying goodbye to Pikachu would be hard enough.

'This machine will transport your Pokéballs to Samuels lab, then you can obtain your first Pokemon of the Johto region.' professor Elm told us.

This was probably orders of the Pokemon league, they were in charge of what happened in each region, but they knew as much as anyone, that a bond with your Pokemon was a life-long partnership and now they were just going to take it away from us?

All the time I spent with each of my Pokemon was precious and now all I would have left would be memories, but, I'd never forget the times I spent battling and training with each of them, but to let some go who I'd only recently had would seem unfair to them.

I took each Pokéball off my belt and put them on a machine that held six Pokéballs in a circle.

I took Pikachu off my shoulder and placed him on the machine.

I took my bag off and found Pikachu's Pokéball out of my bag.

He looked at me in confusion.

I could feel the tears coming, saying goodbye to my best friend, who knew when I'd see him again.

'Pikachu...' I started. My voice started to break as the tears began to fall. 'I am unable to...' I stopped trying to regain my strength, so I could get the words out without breaking down. '...take you on my journey with me through the Johto region. I know you don't like it, but trust me, I need you to go inside your Pokéball for a few moments, you will be with professor Oak in a minute, I need you take care of all my other Pokemon.' I said.

Pikachu looked at me, with eyes that looked sad. If Pikachu started to cry I wouldn't be able to hold myself back from crying along with him.

I saw his eyes were starting to water and a tear escaped his eyes.

He leaped into my arms and we embraced for a few seconds, both of us crying.

I was hardly aware of my friends behind me. I didn't care that saw me this low, I had seen Camilla in a worse place than I was in and Brock had been in a pretty bad place too, so I was sure they didn't mind.

I let go of Pikachu as soon as he stopped hugging me he put on a brave smile before pressing the button on his Pokéball, he got sucked in and I put it on the machine my other Pokéballs were on.

Professor Elm pressed a button and my Pokéballs disappeared.

I suddenly felt naked.

I hadn't been without Pokemon for almost two whole years. It felt weird not to have any Pokemon on my person. I didn't remember feeling like this before. I wasn't exited like when I was about to get my first Pokemon. I was instead a little sad.

I hoped that once professor Oak received my Pokemon he let Pikachu out immediately. I knew Pikachu hated being in a Pokéball. He'd probably let himself out when he got to the lab.

I stood away from the machine.

Camilla was up next, she placed her Pokéballs on the Machine and had a short farewell to he own Pikachu, they also had an embrace before her Pikachu went inside its Pokéball and professor Elm sent her Pokemon to professor Oak.

Brock put his Pokéballs on the machine with no hard goodbyes, it was lucky for him, but he looked sad that he had to let his Pokemon go, he did have them longer than Camilla and I had ours, probably put together.

Camilla and I had a strong bond with our Pikachu, we had experienced aura or ESP-in Camilla's case-with our Pokemon.

We had to try and stay positive, we were getting a new Pokemon, ones we had never seen before, the starter Pokemon that people who start in new Bark town receive their first Pokemon.

'There are three Pokéballs on that desk, why don't you each pick one?' Professor Elm asked.

I saw the three Pokéballs that were still in the case on the desk, each one was the same, so no-one knew which one we would get.

Professor Elm went on the opposite side of the desk to us.

'They include, Chikorita, the leaf Pokemon, Cyndaquil, the fire mouse Pokemon, and Totodile, the big jaw Pokemon.' Professor Elm explained, taking out each one individually before placing them on the table as he said their names.

'Camilla, why don't you pick first?' I asked.

I remembered almost two years ago, when I asked Rachel to go first and my mind screamed at me, but now it wasn't screaming, in fact it was silent, I wasn't all that fussed on who I got, but I know Brock would be the last to pick.

Camilla picked the easy option and took the Pokéball in front of her, I took the Pokéball in front of me, and Brock picked the Pokéball in front of him.

The first to let out their Pokemon was Brock.

He let out his new Pokemon.

Totodile came out and ran on the spot with a happy cry, it instantly looked at Brock and made a second happy cry once it saw its new friend.

We had seen Totodile once before, Akari had one.

We all took out or Pokédexes to scan Totodile since we couldn't in the Orange islands.

'Totodile, the big jaw Pokemon. Be careful around a playful Totodile! It tends to nibble on friends as a sign of affection, but its jaws are strong enough to cause serious harm.' The Pokédex told us. Looks like Brock found another Pokemon that would be great for his breeding skills.

'Akari has one of those.' Camilla said.

I remembered, Camilla battled Akari's Totodile. Akari said she enjoyed the battle and that Camilla had been the rival she was looking for, I was a little sad, but glad that Camilla now had something to look forward to, she had found a purpose to battle, other that just following me around the regions.

So, this is where Akari got her Totodile from, maybe she had got from professor Elm, or she had found it in the wild.

I knew that finding starter Pokemon in the wild was rare, but I found a Charmander, but that's because it was battling against its sibling for its fathers affection, but now it was a Charizard, and in Charicific valley.

So it wasn't that impossible for Akari to stumble upon a wild Totodile.

'You have a grass type though.' Professor Elm said. Not that type match ups mattered, I'd beaten a Pokemon when my Pokemon had a type disadvantage.

Camilla then let out Chikorita, this was a Pokemon I hadn't seen before.

It was on all fours and had a pale green body on the end of each of its legs is has a single small white pointy toe. It has a small tail. Around its neck are pointy green buds that look like they could form a necklace. It had large arch-shaped eyes, that had red irises. It had a leaf as long as its body on top of its head that extended backwards.

I looked up at Camilla. Camilla got down to its height and smiled, but Chikorita didn't seem to take much notice. It turned its head away from Camilla.

'Yeah, this Chikorita seems to have some trust issues, you might have some trouble with it.' Professor Elm said.

That information might have been helpful a bit earlier.

We all took out our Pokédexes nevertheless.

'Chikorita, the leaf Pokemon. Chikorita brandishes its leaf in battle to fend off a foe. When it does this, the leaf gives off a lovely aroma that calms everyone down.' The Pokédex informed.

Now was my turn to let out my partner Pokemon.

I let out my Pokemon and it was small. It had a cream underbelly and dark green on the top. It had four short legs, on the back legs there were a single pointy toe, much like Chikorita. It had a long snout, its eyes were closed and arched. I didn't know if it was awake or asleep. There was a line on its back, like its back had been open and that was the scar that hadn't fully healed yet.

It turned its face up to me and cried out in delight.

'Cyndaquil, the fire mouse Pokemon. The protective flames on Cyndaquil's back are an indicator of its mood. A sputtering fire means it's tired, while anger makes the flames burn high and hot.' Our Pokédexes said.

I felt sorry for Camilla, her Pokemon would have some trust issues with it and it would be hard for her to catch another Pokemon if this Chikorita was going to be like that to her for a while.

I know Camilla would be able to handle it, she was a brilliant Pokemon trainer, she was as good if not better than I was, each time I battled her it had ended in a draw. Our battling skills were easily matched.

Maybe at the end of our journey before the Pokemon league, we could have another Pokemon battle and we would see who was better then. Camilla and I each had a special gift, my aura and her ESP, I didn't know how to control it and neither did she. I hope they didn't come into play when we battled, I don't know what would happen if they occurred at the same time during our battle, but I knew the use of it drained us both loads.

A ringing noise came from behind professor Elm, he turned rather clumsily and answered the call.

'Hello.' He said.

A muffled gruff voice came from the other end, I could hear or see the other person, but o=i knew it was important from what professor Elm exclaimed next.

'Fascinating.'

A few more muffled sounds came from the other person.

'I would love to co...' professor Elm started.

He turned to us three.

'Actually, I have three trainers here that I'm sure wouldn't mind coming to collect it for me.' Professor Elm said turning back round.

A few more muffles were heard and I made out one word "egg".

'Okay, nice to see you again, I'll get back to you with my results once I find out what it is.' professor Elm said before the screen switched off.

He turned around to us and before we could say anything he spoke up.

'I have this friend called Mr. Pokemon, or that's what everyone else calls him. He has reason to believe that he has discovered an egg that has never been seen before, it may be a new Pokemon, he wants me to examine it and get back to him with my findings.' Professor Elm started. 'In order to do that I need the egg here, that is where you three come in.'

This professor was giving us a task now?

'I would like you three to go and collect this egg and bring it back to me, once you have you can continue on your journey.' Professor Elm said.

We were taking on a task to retrieve something that was quite a way off.

'Mr. Pokemon's house is not that far past Cherrygrove city, which is the next city over.' Professor Elm said.

'You want us to collect the egg from Mr. Pokemon and bring it here?' I asked, just so I was clear on what he was asking of us.

'You'd be doing me a massive favour, and who knows, you might meet some Pokemon you haven't encountered before, it would be great to fill up that Pokédex you were given by professor Oak.' Professor Elm said. 'And you know what, ill give you each five Pokéballs, so you can catch any Pokemon you might want to add to your team.

'Well, as I live and breath, Jordan Hale.' A voice behind us said.

All three of us turned and we were met with a man who looked roughly the same age as my dad, but this guy had longer black hair and it was in a mess, he had light brown eyes, they almost looked golden. He was wearing a black top with a red leather jacket that had a white stripe on either side of his zip. He had dark grey trousers that had more pockets than I wanted to count. He was also wearing white shoes.

I didn't know who this guy was as I had never seen him before.

'Do I know you?' I asked.

'Gold.' Professor Elm said. 'What are you doing here?'

'Red said his boy would be here soon a few days ago, and I knew this is the first place he would go. Plus professor Oak said that Jordan should be here today.' Gold replied.

Red? This guy knew my dad?

'You know Mr. Red?' Camilla asked.

'Camilla Foster.' Gold exclaimed. 'Didn't imagine seeing you here. I didn't know you'd travel with Jordan, since your family's feud with his.' Gold said.

'Family?' Camilla asked.

'Feud?' I asked.

'Brock Harrison, the former Pewter City gym leader, also travelling with Jordan Hale?' Gold asked rhetorically, ignoring our questions.

I wanted answers and it didn't seem like we were getting any at this current moment.

'Mr Gold.' I started. 'Can we get some questions answered?' I asked.

'Of course, Jordan Hale, what would you like to know?' Gold asked.

'First please just call me Jordan, no Hale. Second, how do you know my father?' I asked.

'Red travelled through Johto the same year I did. We met up and battled a few times, but he bested me every time.' Gold responded.

I never knew my dad travelled though this region as well as Kanto, I wondered if he travelled through any others.

'Now about this family feud?' Camilla asked.

'Your family and Jordan's family didn't like each-other, how did they let you travel with him?' Gold asked.

'Why didn't our families get along?' I asked.

'Well Red got them in trouble a few times, he got them out of it, but he was always the reason they were in trouble in the first place.' Gold explained.

That cleared up why Camilla's foster parents didn't like me, I must have been a lot like my father, and they didn't want Camilla to make the same mistakes as they did, even though they weren't her real family, the chances of her getting in trouble because of me was high, but I was determined to never let Camilla fall into danger ever again. Her family trusted me now, a bit of a mistake, but they let Camilla make her own mistakes and learn from them, not that she'd run back to her family after her life had been in danger many times.

I wondered if Camilla's real parents knew my dad, or knew of him. I'm sure they did, my dad did meddle with Team Rocket, Camilla's parents were involved, so it was possible that they knew him, but they were just two of the many people he couldn't save.

'Why were you waiting to meet me?' I asked Gold.

This was bugging me, out of all people why did Gold want to meet me?

'Red has told me little about you, he told me, if I asked nicely, you'd tell me about your journey from when you started in Kanto to now, not leaving anything out.' Gold replied.

'They are requested a task that I've given them.' Professor Elm interjected.

He wanted this task done as soon as possible. I understood his point of view, he was a researcher and this mystery egg would help him make groundbreaking discoveries.

'Come now, professor. Its getting dark, I'm sure they can start on their task for you tomorrow, you guys can stay with me, as long as I get to hear this story of yours.' Gold said.

All three of us returned our newly received Pokemon and followed Gold to his house, it was getting dark, the sun had set a while ago, the breeze was cool and I couldn't imagine cleaner air, it was like there was a filter surrounding New Bark Town and it just gave this place clean air.

Gold lead us to one of the houses, in the dark they all looked pretty similar.

As soon as we entered I saw that there was a wooden rectangle table not far in front of us, in the kitchen was a woman leaning against a counter sipping a hot drink.

Past the table was an archway that led to a room that had two green couches facing each-other a small wooden coffee table with a green tablecloth over it.

The room didn't have a TV, just a few cabinets around the room.

The woman made their way to the living room. She sat down on one of the couches, we followed her and sat on the opposite couch.

This woman looked at us, like she was studying us, it was unnerving as we had no idea who she was or why she was looking as us in that way.

She looked at Camilla more than anyone else.

'Jordan Hale.' She started still looking at Camilla, you have aura, like your father, and you Camilla many last names have ESP, like you great-grandmother.' The woman said.

'What?' I asked.

Huh?' Camilla asked immediately after me.

'How do you know that?' Brock asked.

'I have mild aura abilities, not as good as these two, but I can still sense a few things' The woman replied.

'How do you know Camilla's secret?' I asked.

'I don't know her secret, I just know she has many last names, but she doesn't want any of them.' This woman replied.

'It's the same way I know that you died, just over a year ago, but now you are back.' The woman said.

'Crystal.' Gold scolded coming from the kitchen with a tray of four teas.

'I want to hear their story as much as you.' Crystal replied.

'Then stop spoiling it, plus I want to hear it from them.' Gold said as he sat down and placed the tray on the coffee table.

I started telling Gold and Crystal our story, Brock and Camilla interjected where appropriate and at time inappropriate, they also took over a few times, from their own perspective, it was nice to hear their side of the story, it was reassuring that I didn't have to rattle on and on with the story.

Gold and Crystal didn't exclaim for any reason, their expressions changed loads, but no noise from them the whole way through.

As the story ended, I had finished my tea.

'You've had quite the adventure.' Gold commented.

'And you say there were two friends you've travelled with and three others that consider you rivals to them?' Crystal asked rhetorically and you've also seen the three legendary birds and Mewtwo and the Mythical Pokemon Mew?' Crystal asked.

All three of us nodded in unison.

'We also saw Lugia.' I added, forgot that part of the story when I saved Shamouti island and thwarted Lawrence III.

'What?' Brock asked as Crystal and Gold looked at me in shock.

'You saw the legendary Pokemon, Lugia?' Crystal asked.

'Yeah.' Camilla replied.

She looked at me, I knew she was asking if we should tell them about the prophecy or not. I gave her a look that said no. I didn't want Brock to know about it, the dreams Camilla and I shared were enough, I didn't want people to worry, plus it may not happen for years to come.

'You two have simultaneous dreams of the same place, but from your own perspectives.' Crystal more or less stated. 'Don't dwell on them too much, its not like they are all true, the future can always change.' Crystal reminded us.

She didn't know that the dreams we had in Kanto came true when we met Mewtwo and I had another one when I was stuck under Lawrence III's ship, thankfully my uncle had used his aura and helped me out from it.

I hoped Crystal was right, I didn't like my aura dreams coming true, sometimes they overwhelmed me.

Crystal said not to dwell on them, maybe they were nothing, and even if they were something we wouldn't have to worry until the time came, but that didn't stop us from losing sleep on them.

'Maybe you guys should get some sleep, I understand you have a task to undertake for the professor tomorrow. I have a spare room with three beds upstairs.' Gold said.

'You have three kids?' I asked.

'No.' Gold chuckled. 'I have two boys, but Crystal has a girl about their age, they have sleepovers loads, I cant say how happy I am that they left this morning.'

'So who are they?' Brock asked.

'Ethan and Jimmy are their names, they each got a Pokemon from the professor this morning and left rather quickly.' Gold replied. 'A year younger than you two.' Gold directed the last statement at Camilla and myself.

'You might meet them on your journey.' Crystal said. 'While Ethan will be travelling by himself, Jimmy will be travelling with Marina, those two are inseparable.' Crystal added.

'Yeah, Ethan is more adventurous. Marina likes to take her time, and Jimmy will stay with her.' Gold replied.

'Sounds like two people we know.' I said mostly to Camilla.

She giggled remembering Leaf and Liam, how Liam wouldn't leave Leaf, even though he did, he vowed he would never leave Leaf again.

Everyone but they knew they liked each other, but I knew Leaf hadn't fully forgiven Liam yet, and neither had I, but my relationship with Liam was ranked as "friendship", not "complicated" as they put it,

'Sounds like two people I know.' Brock said looking at us.

Camilla and I blushed furiously looking away from each other.

Gold laughed out loud while Crystal laughed inwardly.

'Don't mind Gold, I think its cute.' Crystal told us leaning toward us both.

'What's cute?' Camilla asked.

'We're friends.' I replied.

'If you say so.' Crystal replied reclining back to her original position.

Gold had just stopped laughing.

'Better get off to bed.' Crystal told us.

All three of us made our way upstairs and found the room we were supposed to stay in.

It looked like the beds had just been made, so I wouldn't be sleeping in someone else's bed.

The room was quite large, so there was loads of space between the beds.

I got ready for bed.

As soon as I got into bed and my bed hit the pillow I was asleep, today had been a long day.

I didn't know what had happened, but I knew I wasn't where I was a few seconds ago. I was standing behind a bench where a little boy was sitting.

Camilla stood next to me,I knew it was Camilla, but she looked a little different.

This little boy had blonde hair, a red t-shirt and blue shorts, he was swinging his legs back and forth, he had not noticed our presence.

I couldn't see his face as it was facing the same direction as us.

'This will be a good place for you to rest.' The boy said.

Was he talking to us.

'They won't harm you ever again.'

This boy wasn't making any sense.

The boy then put a Pokéball to the side of him. I instantly recognised it as the GS ball. It was yellow on the top and white on the bottom and it had The letters "GS" etched onto the front, just above the button.

I now understood he wasn't talking to us, he was talking to whatever Pokemon was in the GS ball.

'The GS ball.' Camilla whispered.

The boy turned.

He got off the bench and grabbed the GS ball, like the he held the Pokemon-that was inside that Pokéball-life in his hands, which he did sort of.

'Who are you?' The boy asked, slowly backing away from us.

'We don't want to hurt you, or the Pokemon that resides in that Pokéball.' I replied.

'We want to help.' Camilla affirmed.

'That's what the bad men said.' the boy replied.

This boy was being very cautious, he was keeping us busy talking to us, he definitely knew how to get away from someone.

I unclipped all six Pokéballs from my belt and showed them to him.

I placed them all on the bench and stepped back.

'Would a bad man put his Pokéballs on a bench for a protective, cautious little boy to take if he chose to?' I asked gaining the boys interest.

The boy didn't answer.

He instead moved closer to the Pokéballs I left on the bench.

'You'll give me one of your own Pokemon?' He asked.

'I offer a trade.' I replied. 'And until you have picked a Pokemon, I will not take the rest back.' I continued.

The boy looked at me, then at Camilla, she gave him an encouraging smile.

He looked at the Pokéballs, then he looked closer as if he knew what Pokemon was in which Pokéball.

I knew, but I had them for almost a year now, this boy had seen them for a few moments.

'So this is where you've been hiding.' A gruff voice said from behind the boy.

A man who stood tall and quite skinny was a few feet behind the boy, the voice didn't match the man. He wore sunglasses, but you could see the fire behind his eyes.

'Why don't we help you?' The man asked. His voice contained evil in it.

I took all my Pokéballs back and help one in my hand ready for a battle, that seemed inevitable.

Camilla unclipped one of her Pokéballs and held it, also ready for a battle.

'Do you trust us?' Camilla asked the boy.

'Yes...' He said hesitantly.

'Then stand behind us.' Camilla replied.

The boy quickly stood behind us.

'Don't think you can help the boy, you're just children, and children should know not to play with fire.' The man said throwing up a Pokéball into the air.

I woke up and wondered what that dream was about.

I saw light was peeking through the curtains.

I sat up in my bed.

'I trust you slept well.' Gold said appearing in the doorway. 'Your clothes are clean and dry.' He said handing me the clothes I had on yesterday.

I didn't know he would wash and dry these.

'It wasn't too bad.' I lied. I didn't want him to know about my aura dream.

'You're friends are downstairs, they insisted that you weren't woken.' Gold said.

He left me with that, and I thought back to my aura dream.

It wasn't like my others, it was just some information, nothing bad happened in it, not like it normally did in my aura dreams.

I got dressed and made my way downstairs.

This was officially the start of my Johto journey.

Jordan: So big changes this chapter.

Camilla: More sad goodbyes.

Jordan: The next has more introduction.

Camilla: So, until then.

Chapter Four: A Brother & a Spark