Route 1 was a quite country road. There weren't many trees, just a few hedges and patches of tall grass here and there. The people walking by were friendly and said good evening as they walked by. One man even gave them each a sample potion. About half-way to Pallet, TJ had to slow Indigo down because Aden was complaining loudly about being tired. TJ grumbled, but eventually obliged him.

"Is this hurrying?" TJ asked him when he caught up. He was a bit winded and glared at her.

"Excuse me for not having a ponyta to ride." Aden said. He took off his backpack and pulled out a bottle of water.

"Can you do that and walk?" TJ asked. Aden made a face at her.

"Sorry, geez." he said, putting his backpack back on. "Are you always this pleasant?" TJ frowned at him as they started walking again.

"If I said 'Yes', would you still keep following me?" she asked.

"Yes." Aden replied quickly. "I want to see Oak and ask him a few things. Even if it means putting up with you."

"Well, this hasn't been a picnic for me either," TJ murmured. The two spent the rest of the walk in silence. Pallet Town was about the same size as New Bark. It was small and quaint, with no major mart or Pokemon Center. But, it did have one major focal point; Professor Oak's lab. The building sat on a hill at one end of town and was bigger than Professor Elm's. It was two stories tall and had a large outdoor area for raising and observing pokemon. As they walked up to the lab, a large dragonite flew low overhead. Its flight kicked up a strong gust of wind and dust swirled around them.

"Wow," TJ said, marveling at the pokemon. She dismounted and returned Indigo to his pokeball before knocking on the door.

"Hold on! Coming!" a voice called from inside. There was some shuffling inside and then the door opened. The man that opened it was gray haired and cheerful. He wore a white coat a little loner than Elm's and was also visibly older than the professor she knew. He smiled brightly at them.

"Professor Oak, I presume?" TJ asked.

"Why, yes, I am!" he said. "And, you must be TJ. Professor Elm called to tell me that you were coming. He didn't mention your friend, though…"

"He's not my friend." She replied sharply. Aden ignored her.

"I'm Aden Caster and I had a few questions to ask you." he said.

"Ok then, but first things first," Oak said. "Let's get inside and TJ can show me that great new ponyta of hers!" He opened the door and let them in. Oak's lab was much cleaner than Elm's. Everything was in its place. Books were lined neatly on the shelves, papers were put away into filling cabinets, and the lab machines gleamed brightly. Oak lead them to room that was large enough for TJ to be able to release Indigo with out much trouble. She did so and Oak's smile grew.

"Now I can see why there was such a fuss about this guy." he said. Indigo eyed him cautiously and didn't stray too far away from TJ. "I've seen alternate-colored pokemon before, but not a ponyta. If you don't mind, I have a friend that would like to see him as well." TJ nodded, not seeing a problem with it. "Hold on a minute." Oak walked over to a phone on one of the walls, picked it up, and said something into it. Before he had a time to walk back over, a young man had run into the room, sliding to a stop before them. Indigo was a bit spooked and hid behind TJ, his flames rising a little. TJ stroked his nose, trying to calm him before the lab went up in smoke.

The man that had run in was older than TJ. His hair was black, his eyes were dark, and he was holding a sketchbook and pencil. He had a wide smile and his eyes glittered at the sight of Indigo.

"You were right, Professor!" he said happily. "Indigo is a beautiful ponyta. Would you mind if I sketch him really quick?"

"Sure, as long as you don't come too close." TJ replied.

"Oh, don't worry; I can do the picture from right here." he told her. "Just, don't move." He started to draw, looking up occasionally.

"Um, I don't want to be rude, but who is he?" Aden asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, of course!" Professor Oak said. "His name is Tracey Sketchit. He's a pokemon watcher and a good friend of mine. He helps me out here. And, he really likes seeing interesting pokemon, just like Elm and myself."

"Oh, that's kinda neat." Aden said.

"While Tracey and TJ are busy with that, why don't I answer your questions, young man?" Oak said.

"Ok." Aden reached for his single pokeball and released the pokemon inside. It was a little magby. The sight of the rare baby pokemon made both TJ and Tracey look over.

"I didn't know that you had a magby." TJ said.

"You never asked." Aden said, putting up his nose proudly.

"I'd like to sketch him when I'm done." Tracey said, going back to his work.

"So, what question did you have about this little guy?" Oak asked.

"Well, I know what magby's move set is because of my research as a fire trainer, but Mags knows a move out of the ordinary." Aden explained. "He knows thunder punch and has since he's hatched. And, I can't figure out why."

"Huh, that is a bit strange." Oak replied. "I'm sorry, but I don't have an answer for you. But, if you do find out, I'd like to know as well."

"That's ok. Thanks for helping." Aden said. He looked down at Mags, who was skipping happily around Aden. When he noticed Aden looking at him, he stopped and looked up at him.

"Magby!" he said, smiling. Aden picked him up.

"You are a little mystery, aren't you?" he said.

"How long since he hatched?" Oak asked.

"About three months." Aden replied. "I got him from a friend of the family on Cinnabar Island. He raises magmars and knew that I wanted to train fire pokemon."

"Done!" Tracey said. TJ returned Indigo and walked over to see the drawing.

"Wow, that is very good, Tracy." she said. It was a lovely sketch of TJ and Indigo. Tracey wasn't just good at drawing pokemon; he was also great at drawing people, too. It was as if he had taken a snapshot.

"Thank you." Tracey said.

"Oh, TJ, Elm said you had something else to tell me as well." Oak said.

"Oh yeah!" TJ said. "You may want to sit down for this."

Oak lead TJ, Aden, and Tracey to the lobby downstairs. They sat on the two couches and Professor Oak brought some snacks and drinks out for them to eat and set them the long coffee table. The room belonged in a home, not a pokemon lab. There were cabinets along the wall, a computer sitting in one of them, and there was a window that showed that the sun had already set.

"So, what news do you have?" Oak asked once they were settled.

"Team Rocket is coming back." TJ said. Oak and Tracey shared somewhat shocked expressions.

"How do you mean?" Tracey asked.

"Well, they apparently have a boss in Cerulean." TJ explained. "I over heard them talking when I was trying to get Indigo. Elm thought you would like to know."

"Yes, I am." Oak said. "I have friends that have experience with Rocket. They would like to hear this news as well."

"Well, I'm on my way to Cerulean myself. If they are between here and there, I could pass the word." TJ said.

"You're going to Cerulean?" Tracey said, surprised. "To face Rocket?"

"Yep." TJ replied happily. "I know where they are and I'm planning on stopping them." Tracey looked at Oak, seemingly expecting a reaction. Oak just sipped at his tea quietly. After a minute of silence, he put the cup back down.

"I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll call ahead." he said. "That way, when you do make it to those cities, they can meet you and help you out." TJ smiled.

"Thanks." she said.

"You can sleep here tonight. We'll send you on your way tomorrow with a full pack of food for your journey." Oak said. He stood. "I'll show you guys too your rooms, so you can get some rest." TJ nodded. TJ and Aden followed Oak and Tracey to their separate rooms.

"Why are you going to let this girl go up against Team Rocket?" Tracey asked as they walked back to the main area of the lab.

"Because, if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that children can sometimes accomplish amazing things with their pokemon." Oak replied. He gave Tracey a look. "You have seen this first hand, Tracey."

"Hm." Tracey said, nodding.

TJ woke up early the next morning and made her way to the kitchen. She found Oak there already. He had made a pack for both her and Aden. They had people food, pokemon food, and some pokemon medicine just in case.

"Why did you make two?" TJ asked. Oak gave her a confused look.

"One for you, one for Aden." he replied.

"Oh, Aden is not coming with me." she told him sternly.

"Really now?" Oak asked. "I had just assumed, because he arrived with you…"

"No, he only followed me to talk to you." TJ said. "I get to dump the twerp as soon as I leave."

"You have come to hate the boy so much in the short walk down Route 1?" Oak asked.

"He slows me up." TJ said. "And, he said I wasn't pleasant."

"Some how, I don't think I will be so easy to lose him."

"He doesn't like me either, shouldn't be too hard."

"Whatever you say." Oak said, handing her one of the bags. "He can still have one, to help him on his way."

"Fine." TJ said. She put the bag in her own pack as Aden walked through the door. Oak gave him his identical bag and TJ went to walk outside. Oak caught up with her, grabbing her shoulder.

"I have something I want to offer you." he said. "Follow me." He took her to a large room with computers and equipment. At the center of the room was a round machine almost exactly like the one in Elm's lab, with three pokeballs sitting on top of it. TJ looked at Oak. He nodded towards the pokeballs.

"No, I couldn't…" TJ said.

"Go ahead." Oak said, smiling. "I give them away everyday. At least I know he'll be treated well. Pick one." TJ looked at the pokeballs. She knew a little bit about these pokemon, but she still had to think about which to take. Deciding to just reach out and go with the first ball she grabs, TJ picked up the bulbasaur. She looked at her new pokemon in the ball; he was sleeping quietly. TJ looked at Oak and smiled.

"Thank you." she said.

"Your welcome." Oak said. "Are you going to name him? You have names for all of your other pokemon."

"Yeah." TJ said. She thought for a minute. "Kern."

"I like it." Oak said. "Come on; let's get you on your way." They started heading for the door when TJ stopped something.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" She pulled out a pokeball. "This is Elm's azumarill, Zuzi. I don't need him anymore; I've even caught my own water-type. I figured you'd be able to send him back to his owner."

"Of course, I'll do that now." Oak said. "Goodbye, TJ. Keep me posted."

"I will! Bye!" TJ said, running for the door. Tracey was standing at the door, waiting to send her off. He held out his hand and TJ shook it.

"Good luck, TJ." he said. "And, be careful. I've been up against the Rockets. They'll do anything to get what they want."

"I will. Thanks." TJ said, smiling. She went outside and released Indigo from his pokeball. She mounted the horse and began her ride to Viridian. She made it back up Route 1 rather quickly without Aden running behind her. When she got there, the sun had risen, but was still low in the sky. She decided to take a break to let Indigo rest a bit. TJ went to a little restaurant in town for breakfast. She was sitting there and noticed a newspaper sitting on the empty table next to her. She picked it up and started reading the front page. The main article was about the Viridian gym leader, Gary Oak. TJ was a little surprised to find that Oak's grandson was the gym leader in this town, but what caught her eye even more was that he had taken over for none other than Giovanni. She hadn't known that he used to be the Viridian leader, and decided to check the gym out after she ate.

TJ walked up to the gym building. It was large and rather plain, with a big sign on the front that said "Official Kanto Pokemon League Gym. Leader: Gary Oak". She opened the large door slowly and peeked in. The room was large and dark. She walked a few feet in. There were the official bounds lines drawn out on the ground. Unlike some gyms she had seen, this gym didn't seem to have a type preference. It was just a plan, open field, giving no pokemon the advantage.

"Hello. Can I help you?" a male voice said from across the field. TJ squinted across as her eyes adjusted and she could make out a figure standing in the opponent area.

"Um, yes, I was looking for Gary Oak, the leader." TJ replied.

"He's not here. Are you looking to fight him for the badge?" he asked.

"No, I just had a question to ask him about the former leader, Giovanni." TJ said. "Do you know anything?"

"Only that he disappeared almost ten years ago, with no sign since." the man replied.

"Oh. Ok." TJ said. "Thank you." She walked back out the door; a little disappointed she hadn't gotten more info out of this small lead. At least she still had the Cerulean information to go on. She was just about to walk out of the town when she realized she had no idea how to get to Pewter, the next town between her and Cerulean.

"Now, how do I get to Pewter?" she thought aloud, looking at the trees about a mile down the road.

"Viridian Forest." a voice said from behind her. She turned to see Aden standing there, Mags on his shoulder.

"What?" TJ asked him.

"You have to go through Viridian Forest." he repeated.

"Thanks." she said. She started walking towards the forest, realizing that she couldn't ride Indigo through a forest.

"Wait up!" Aden called, running up to her.

"Why do you insist on following me?" TJ whined. "I took you to Oak, I thought I was done with you!" Aden frowned.

"I talked to Oak and he told me that Brock, the Pewter gym leader is also interested in pokemon breeding." Aden explained. "Oak thinks this might have to do with Mags breeding and that Brock might know something. You need to go to Pewter as well, as it is on the way to Cerulean. Now, either you can go on your own and get horribly lost in the forest. Or, you can have me go with you. I've only lived in this area all my life and can find my way through Viridian Forest with my eyes closed." TJ didn't say anything for a second, considering. She rolled her eyes.

"Fine, you're right." she finally said. "It would be better for me to have you along, at least to get through the forest."

"Good." Aden said. "Shall we? You're in a hurry, remember?" TJ sneered are him as they started off down Route 2.