Title: Seth's Journey Author: Acrona Part: Prologue E-Mail: acg19ocp@hotmail.com Category: OT Author's Note: There is some content in this story that is probably not suitable for children under the age of 13. I mean, nothing perverted or anything, just swears and stuff that teenagers talk about and all that. Just giving you a heads up. ---- SETH'S JOURNEY: PROLOGUE ---- My name is Seth Arian, and I am 52 years old. I am a legendary Pokemon Master. Yes, my time as a Master has passed; I retired ten years ago, when Houndoom passed away. Yet he is still right beside me, in my heart, and I still see him in the dream. Yes, I still know TJ and Lauren - quite well, in fact. TJ is a the Gym Leader of my city, just like his dad was before he became a Professor. And Lauren's my wife. We even have three kids; Amy, Melissa and Luke, the last of whom just set off on his own Pokemon journey. But I still hold with me the story of my life, from the time I was 12. And I will even take the time to tell you this story. It all began 40 years ago... ---- I awoke with a start, trembling. The underarms of my t-shirt were moist with sweat. I looked around me, observing my bedroom; it was the same room I had fallen asleep in two hours ago. Nothing was different. My heart was beating at a fast pace, drumming against my chest. However, I calmed, realizing that it was just a dream. It came to me first as a vision of burning, then quickly changed to flames engulfing my body. I saw in the distance a black creature - a Pokemon - with silver horns. The Pokemon was suffering as well, and it cried out to me. I then returned all too suddenly to the real world. I payed no attention to the vision, and soon fell asleep again, lost in a world of unconscious dreaming. The sun arose the next day with a golden beam shining into my eyes. Sleeplily, I awoke from my dormant state, and got out of bed. I glanced absentmindedly at my calendar. "June 1st, the day I set out on my Pokemon Journey." I knew in my heart that I should be excited, and that if TJ was here we would probably already be at the fucking lab. But somehow I wasn't sure of myself. I had been dreaming of this day since I first learned about the Pokemon League, always daydreaming in school and throwing imaginary Pokeballs at Lotad dolls and such. And now, my dreams would come true. But that wierd vision... I threw on my clothes: a white t-shirt under a pale blue jacket and blue cargo jeans, and tied a rope belt around my waist. I walked down the mahogany stairs and entered the kitchen. Still somewhat sleeping, I patted Arcanine, the family pet and former Kanto League Champion, and filled her bowl with PokeChow. There was my mom, with a plate of eggs and bacon on the table. And, there was TJ. Surprised, I looked at mom. She laughed and told me that TJ was here to go with me to the lab, because he was getting his first Pokemon too. I glanced at him skeptically. "Man, you're crazy. Don't tell me you came just for some of mom's cooking." He smiled awkwardly, his mouth full of greasy red bacon. I grabbed a chair sat down next to him to eat. After munching away, my mom just HAD to give a final speech. I remember when my brother Max left on his Pokemon journey, and now he's already training to be a Gym Leader. I rolled my eyes, and TJ and I looked up at her, waiting for her to speak. "My second son is all grown up... soon Lindsay will be gone too. Oh, Seth! To think that you are finally setting out on your Pokemon journey... I am SO PROUD of you! Dear, come in here." In the other room, my dad was asleep on the couch, with the TV tuned to the news. Mom sighed. "RYAN! COME IN HERE AND WISH YOUR SON GOOD LUCK!" My dad awoke instantly, looking around. Eyeing us, he smiled, and walked in. "Now, Julie. Don't flood the place; he's grown up now, and the time comes for all people to go out and see the world. He's still our little prince. Isn't that right, Seth?" He gave me a power noogie, and I scowled. Why were my parents like this... I said my final goodbyes and went with TJ to the garage so I could get my gear. As I pushed open the door, the musty stench of old junk filled my nose, and I savored it, breaking away from the cleanliness of my home. It was good to be free. I grabbed my skateboard and a Pokeball I had found on the ground 3 years ago that I was saving for this moment. Putting it in my pocket, I threw some clothes in my backpack, and we were off. Skateboarding is a fun experience. I could feel the wind in my hair as I pushed along, feeling like I was flying. I looked at TJ and smiled. He was smiling too; we were both excited. It was the day we would set out on our journey. "Dude, look. We're almost at the lab." TJ looked ahead and nodded towards the tall building a little ways off. The Pallet town lab. Finally, I would get a Pokemon. I took a deep breath, and we shoved the doors open. "Hello? Dad!" TJ called out into the dark room, eyeing around for the professor. I took the time to admire some equipment on the shelves, and I thought about how cool it would be if my dad was a professor. Professor Gary Oak came out of a room, holding three Pokeballs. Three of them? But the only people here were TJ and I. And then, Lauren came out after the professor. "Tch. Lauren's here? But dad..." TJ scowled, and Lauren glared at him. They were twins, the same age as me. But secretly, I was glad that Lauren was here. I never told anyone this - not even TJ - but I thought Lauren was the hottest girl I had ever seen. And it's not like I was the only one who thought so, either. She had guys practically hanging from her arms and legs. I snapped out of my imagination, and looked up at Prof. Oak as he spoke to us. "You know, I usually give out the original three starters, but today I have some very special Pokemon for you guys. The only reason is because I have links to you; and Seth, you're pretty lucky that TJ is your best friend. So, here are the three Pokeballs." TJ was the first to pick. He evaluated the Pokeballs, and released one of them. Out came a small green Pokemon, similar to that of a dog. The Electrike raced around, chasing its tail. She bounced around the room until walking over to TJ. "She's perfect!" The little Electrike sent sparks from her cheeks as she tackled TJ, slobbering all over his face. He laughed and petted her soft green fur. I smiled, knowing that he and Electrike had already began to bond. Next, the Professor let Lauren choose a Pokemon, and she released a small, brown Pokemon wielding what looked like some creature's humerus and wearing a skull upon its head. It looked around, eyeing us, and gently approached the person it thought most resembled a mother; obviously, Lauren. "Awww... come here, baby." She held out her arms to him, and he hobbled over to her, giving her a hug. She picked him up and cooed him like a baby. Professor Oak chuckled. "Cubones live with their mothers for almost their entire life, until they grow into adult Marowaks. Sadly, this one is orphaned, so I'm glad that you're acting as a mother, Lauren." She smiled at the Cubone,rubbing its tummy. TJ sat with a disgusted look on his face. "Girls..." he said, rolling his eyes. I, personally, wished that I was the Cubone right then. Professor Oak glared at TJ, telling him to be quiet. He then nodded at me, signaling me to choose. Was this the moment in which I would be blessed with a Pokemon? I looked at the balls on the table. I toyed with them, scanning each with my eyes, and I finally released one. Out came a small black puppy with what looked like a silver orb above its eyes. It yawned and looked around, wathing me. "Hound?" I watched it, stunned. This Pokemon, with sleek black fur and silver rings upon its ankles, was destined to become mine. My gaze never left the Houndour until the Professor spoke. "Seth," he said, solemnly, "this is a very rare Pokemon. If you choose this one, you must promise to take extremely good care of it." I nodded, understanding of his speech, and squatted with my arms out ot Houndour. It saw me and sniffed my hands. After getting to know my scent, he padded softly over to me, and licked my face. "H-hey, Houndour." I snuggled him, and returned him to his Pokeball. "Thank you, Professor Oak." I shook his hand, and tucked Houndour's Pokeball in my pocket. "No problem. That is what Professor Gary Oak is for." He handed us each a Pokedex and five Pokeballs, and we decided about our journey. "Lauren is NOT coming with us," said TJ as we left the lab. "Oh yes I am," said Lauren. "We have to be in a team of three." TJ scowled and glared at her. "Says who?" "Says me. Besides, it's more fun with people to talk to." Lauren insisted on coming with us. Secretly, I was happy, but TJ looked at me for support. I shrugged. "I don't mind," I said, and Lauren had a look of relief upon her face. Still, TJ was upset. "Why dont you go with Jake, huh?" Jake. Lauren's "boyfriend" that always tried to flirt with her and totally blocked my vision of Lauren in the halls. Lauren glared at TJ hard. "Thomas Jeffrey Oak, he is NOT my boyfriend, and I am disgusted of his face." Wow, she said TJ's whole name. After minutes of arguing, it was decided that Lauren was to come with us, and I thanked the Lord about a million times that day. Finally, we set off into the distance for Viridian city, each with our Pokemon and things. Who knows what we might have encountered... ---- Part 1 is coming soon!!! However, my computer has a virus, and I wont be able to write it for a week. So, just keep checking back, and hopefully CompUSA will get my computer fixed. *crosses fingers*