The day had finally come. Travis was awake at five o' clock in the morning. Why? Not because of excitement, but because he had one personal thing to do. He didn't wake Gill, or tell his grandparents where he was going. This was something he himself had to do, alone.

He walked down the empty, dark streets of Pallet, towards Pallet's cemetery. He entered the cold, silent cemetery and went straight towards one grave. He had been here numerous times before, but not too often, for he sometimes hated the darkness and the silence of the grave.

He knelt down at the one grave he knew there. The tombstone which read the following words.

In Loving Memory of:

Isabelle Mura

Born: April 29, 1968

Died: June 25, 2006

The brightest flame burns quickest...

Travis knelt, and closed his eyes. He blotted out all thoughts. He prayed his silent prayers, hoping his dead mother could hear him from beyond. Travis could feel the sadness of the grave getting to him. He shook it all off, and concentrated. He felt nothing, except a little of his mother's spiritual presence, and he always loved that feeling.

"...Hey mom...it's me, sorry I haven't showed up for a while. I just came to say good-bye for now. I'm attempting to do what dad did I guess. Speaking of which, if he is with you, tell him I said 'hi' for me. I still wish he never left us.

"But, yeah. I'm gonna leave Pallet Town today. Hope I'm successful in this. I don't wanna screw too much up. I also hope that you don't mind me doing this. I just gotta leave Pallet. I'm missing out on a whole world. But I'm sure you'd be proud of me if you were still with me..."

Travis felt peaceful. Extremely peaceful. He couldn't remember a time that was this peaceful to him and he enjoyed the feeling. It made him strong, confident, and not alone.

He sat there another 15-30 minutes before standing up again. "I'm doing this for you mom. You and my future team...no one else." That was the last thing he said before standing up and leaving the cemetery. He wasn't sure, but as he left the cemetery, he felt a bit warmer.

Travis in all had spent about an hour at the cemetery. He arrived back at the house at about 6:30 and his grandparents were up rather early.

Travis entered, and his grandmother was in the kitchen. She noticed him enter, then asked him "Oh, you're back. May I ask where you went?"

Travis took of his jacket and looked up. "I went and visited mom's grave."

His grandma understood that. "I see..." was all she could say.

Travis went into the kitchen. His grandfather was not up yet, but Gill was. He looked at Travis then gave a small smile.

"Hey Gill, sorry if I made you wonder where I was." Travis said. "Are you ready to leave this town?"

"Squirtle!" Gill replied. Travis knew that this was a "yes."

He laughed and went upstairs. Gill didn't follow, but Travis was sorta glad he didn't. He went upstairs to his room, and sat on his bed. He opened up his top drawer on his night stand. This was where he kept some of his most valued possessions. He took one thing out and shut the drawer.

What he took out was a simple necklace of black thread. What hung from the thread, was a moon stone. This was the only possession he had left of his mother. His father gave it to her on the day of their wedding. When she died, the necklace was given to Travis. He rarely put it on, but he wanted it now, since he was leaving Pallet for a while. Whenever he was near the necklace, he could feel his mom with him.

He put it on, and went downstairs. His backpack, untouched since last week was near the door. He didn't leave right away, he stayed for about 3 hours before calling Gill over and putting his backpack on.

"Grandma, I'm outta here. Say goodbye to grandpa for me." he called, he was a bit surprised that his grandpa was still sleeping.

She came over. Travis hugged her. "Okay Travis, you be careful out there. And know that you're always welcome back here."

Travis laughed and left for Oak's lab again. "I hope this time he has the items for me." Travis thought to himself.

Travis passed a few trainers outside Oak's lab and went inside. "Oak, you here?" Travis called over the Aides busy working. Travis looked for the professor everywhere, then caught sight of him. He was helping a young boy, giving him a pokéball and a pokédex. Then he saw Travis. "Travis? Didn't I send you out a week ago?" he asked.

Travis was rather surprised. Had his memory gone bad? Oh well. "I came for the rest of the supplies you said-" he began. "Oh yes! That's right! Here you are." Oak said handing him about 6 pokéballs and a map. He looked to the ceiling as if in deep thought. "I don't remember giving you a pokédex."

Travis shook his head. "I can't recall you did either. don't really need one however."

"Well, take one anyway. They may be more useful than you think." Oak insisted.

"Okay then," Travis said accepting the items. "I guess I'm about out of here." He turned to the exit and started walking. Gill walked beside him.

"Good luck, Travis! I'll always be here to help in any way necessary!" Oak called out as Travis exited the lab.

Travis stood outside. The trainers that stood out there were still there, including the one Oak helped before giving Travis his items.

"Gill, you ready?" Travis asked. "Let's go." They began walking towards the exit of Pallet Town. Travis put a headphone into his right ear and pressed the play button on his iPod nano. A familiar riff began playing. A riff made by a band he deeply respected.

"Oh let the sun beat down upon my face

Stars to fill my dream

I am a traveler of both time and space

To be where I have been..."

The last thing Travis thought before stepping into the wild was "Here goes nothing..."