In his childhood, Professor Oak experienced a pivotal event when the mythical Pokémon Celebi inadvertently transported him forty years into the future. At that time, he was known as Sammy. During this displacement, he encountered Ash Ketchum and his companions. Together, they worked to protect Celebi from the Iron-Masked Marauder, a dangerous operative of Team Rocket who sought to control Celebi using a specialized Dark Ball. The Marauder employed corrupted Pokémon in his destructive efforts, threatening the Lake of Life. Sammy collaborated with Ash to thwart these plans. After ensuring Celebi’s safety, Sammy returned to his original time. This adventure revealed his early connection to Celebi and time travel, and it later influenced his path toward becoming a Pokémon researcher. His identity as Sammy was disclosed at the conclusion of these events.