Indeed! Well, it's interesting because in the games, since Kanto and Johto are so close, they share the same E4--the only thing is that since 3 years pass between gen 1 and 2, Lance gets promoted to Champion (the step above the E4) and Koga the gym leader gets promoted to take his place in the E4 (his daughter takes over as Gym Leader). Bruno is still there, but Agatha and Lorelei/Prima aren't--one can assume that Agatha retired, but Lorelei/Prima's absence is never explained (neither is Agatha's, but the retirement can be assumed at least). The other regions do have their own E4s, though.

Yeah, meh.

Oh, oops...

Yep. I'll have to find that (and the other books)! The one I have on hand is an original story with a Brock-centric plot where Ash begs him to join a talent show because Gary enters and he wants to beat his act, and Ash discovers that Brock can sing really well. I half wonder if it was coincidental, or if Tracey West was doing an allusion to Eric Stuart's musical career, heh.