(POH-kay-mahn) Incredible creatures that share the world with humans. Pokémon is the name for mysterious species not recorded in traditional biological taxonomies. The various subspecies fall within 15 main elements: Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, and Dragon. There are currently 150 documented species of Pokémon. Due to similarities in genetic and cellular structure, they must be considered a single species.

Palm-sized Pokémon transportation units. The PokéBall stores the Pokémon inside as pure energy to be re-constituted to its bodily form by the Pokémon trainer. The trainer may aim or throw a PokéBall at a Pokémon to attempt to contain it within. Once a Pokémon becomes captured within a PokéBall it becomes loyal to the trainer who owns it. While a trainer may capture as many Pokémon as possible, he/she may only carry six full PokéBalls at any one time. The remainder of his captured Pokémon are transmitted on a beam of energy to the location where the trainer received his Pokédex. The trainer may determine which Pokémon to carry in his Pokéballs depending upon his current needs. When a Pokémon is at risk of being weakened or injured in a match, the trainer may aim the PokéBall at the creature to retrieve it to safety by a retractor beam. When drawn into Pokéball, Pokemon becomes portable, thus the appeal of Pokémon has spread to people throughout the globe. There are currently 3 types of Pokéballs that can be bought and 1 special type of Pokéball which is the Master Ball.

Although some have appropriated these containers to keep Pokémon as pets, the Pokémon contained within can be very dangerous... Therefore, only fully licensed trainers and breeders are permitted to handle them. Pokémon trainers collect as many wild Pokémon as possible, using the Pokémon in their collection to battle other Pokémon. Pokémon and trainers usually develop a strong bond as their relationship grows. Trainers compete against each other in Pokémon battles as a means of advancing the training and development of their own Pokémon, as well as for sport. Pokémon trainers hoping to compete in the regional championships must collect Pokémon Badges by defeating Gym Leaders in battles. Only the champions may one day consider themselves Pokémon Masters!

Applicants must be over 10 years of age and are required to attend a half-day training session before qualifying to take a brief test. Those who pass this examination receive the license. Only licensed Pokémon handlers may legally purchase Pokéballs.

Hand-held personalized electronic encyclopedia containing all available knowledge about the known species of the Pokémon world. Auto-sensor device triggers instantaneous database retrieval of any Pokémon within range of movement. An invaluable tool for the serious Pokémon trainer. As more used, the trainer may gain more knowledge of Pokémon types and abilties.

Many Pokémon evolve from one form to another. Some Pokémon have three different stages of evolution. Typically, the evolved form of a particular Pokémon is more powerful than its earlier form. It takes terrestrial creatures millions of years to evolve into a different form. Pokémon can transform radically in a very short period of time. This ability to adapt to their environment so rapidly that it is an incredible achievement! But the source of this ability is stepped in mystery.

The Pokémon league sets the rules for raising and fighting Pokémon. Only the most elite ranks of Pokémon trainers may join the league. These are the pro trainers known as "POKéMON MASTERS."

Each town has one. A place for the travelling trainers to get medical aid for their worn out Pokémon. It's also a place for the trainers to meet other trainers, rest, and grab a bite to eat. Restoring Pokémon here is free, so trainers don't have to pay.

Each town has one. The Pokémon Gym is where potential trainers apply their craft, learning the ways of the Pokémon before possibly setting out on a journey of discovery. The Gym Leader is usually the best Pokémon trainer in town. Defeating a Gym Leader in a match is the only way to earn a Pokémon badge. It takes eight badges to qualify to compete in the Pokémon regional championships where the best of the best take on each other. Beating eight gyms and having eight badges will allow the trainer to battle to gain the title of "Pokémon Master."

The bad guys. Jessica, James and that felonious feline, Meowth. They'll stop at nothing to capture rare and unusual Pokémon as part of their insidious leader's plan to conquer the world. They especially covet Pikachu but the good guys seem to beat them every single time! But this group is just one out of many groups working for the boss. Team Rocket is a group of members dedicated to evil using Pokémon.

There are primarily two main reasons for Pokémon battles. The first is for sport, two Pokémon trainers may challenge each other to a match for competition. The other is for the purpose of catching a wild Pokémon. In either case, the Pokémon trainer must choose wisely from his available arsenal of Pokémon to determine which he should use in the battle. A fire Pokémon may do well against a flying type but would fare very poorly in a match against a water Pokémon. Once weakened in battle, a wild Pokémon may be captured by the trainer in a PokéBall.