The Longest Journey
Gem Archipelago
Prologue
"You shouldn't go outside; it's dangerous. Never ever take a step outside!"
How many times had he heard those words? Too often, that's how many. Ever since he could remember, he'd been a prisoner of his own "home". He didn't consider it his home, so did it really count?
Never an explanation; just "stay inside". It pissed him off.
He was as pale as a ghost, never allowed to go outside to play in the sun like the other kids. And as for going out on a journey with Pokémon? Hah! Forget that!
Which was exactly why he was where he was now; on the verge of climbing out his own window. His father had gone to bed some time ago, so there was no need to worry about that. However, the door was locked with an automatic timer, so he couldn't take the easy way out.
Not like he really cared much.
Stuffing the last of his supplies into his bag, he grabbed a small wallet and jammed it into his pocket. There wasn't much money in there, but he knew he could enjoy a free meal at Pokémon Centers if he came across one. His only concern was how he was going to do this properly. He'd never really gone on "practice camping" before, but he'd seen plenty of movies about it to know the basics.
And there was one thing he wouldn't dream of leaving without.
Moving over to the nightstand, he picked up a single red cap and plopped it atop his head, before turning to regard himself in the mirror. He had to admit, he didn't look anything like he had when he'd gone to bed that evening, and anyone would have a hard time recognizing them even if his father sent out a 'Missing' notice.
His once shoulder length black hair had had a most dreadful encounter with his pair of scissors, and while his hair didn't look that impressive, it made him a bit more unrecognizable. Add to that his simple blue jeans, dark shirt and simple jacket, topped of with his red and white cap, and you had someone totally new.
Satisfied with the result, he finally slung his bag on his back and walked to his window, pulling it open and climbing through. He was glad they had a diagonal roof, allowing him to slide off before he had to jump down to solid ground, which wasn't even that high up.
Taking a moment to get his bearings, he looked up slowly to the house in which he had lived for so long.
For a long moment, he hesitated, but then his steeled his nerves and turned around, running away as fast as his legs could carry him.
Running to face, quite possibly, the longest journey he'd ever make in his life.
The Gem Archipelago is a personal project I've been working with for a long time. This story takes place after Black and White, but this first "saga" features mostly Pokémon from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation, with a few minor exceptions for certain Trainers.
