Earthbound: Champions of the Future

Prolouge

~ Naoma Trudeau's POV ~

I sighed as I looked myself up and down in the mirror. Today was the first day back at school after the summer holidays. At least, it was for everyone else. My father strictly forbids me from stepping out of the house at all, let alone go to school just across the road.

I pulled a comb through my turquoise hair, which cascaded down my back in curls, my bangs being electric blue. After that, I examined my red-framed glasses before putting them on. My eyes were a dark forest green. My dress shirt was white and my short pleated skirt was black. I wore a brown belt around my waist; it hung out behind me, kind of like a cat's tail. Black socks ended just below my knees as I inserted my feet into white shoes. Finally, to complete my look, I threw a black scarf around my neck. From all the pictures hanging up around the mansion, I deduced that this scarf once belonged to my mother. I always wore and looked after it, as a way of keeping her with me.

I guess I'd better introduce myself before we get too far into things. My name's Naoma Trudeau, female, fifteen years old, and I live in Flewick. It's an average sized town, nothing too big and special. My father, Jae Trudeau, is the mayor of Flewick. Because he runs the place, I've had a pretty rich lifestyle for the past fifteen years of my life. My house is nice and expansive, I always have food to eat, I have an education provided by his assistant... Only problem is, I barely see my father. I don't remember the last time he smiled. I don't even remember the last time I saw his face. He's always working or something; he never tells me what he does. He's still grumpy even with his new wife, Cierra. They got married about three years ago, and so she became my stepmother. She has a son from a previous marriage, Romeo, who kept his surname of Quintana after the wedding. So I have a stepmom and a stepbrother, but my real mother passed away shortly after I was born and my father is as distant as ever.

I pushed my thoughts about him out of my head as I grabbed my books from my desk and stepped downstairs. I glanced around the mansion I called my home as I descended the stairs; shining, silver walls and elegant pillars rising to the ceiling. Many different portraits were hanging on the walls; a woman with dark green eyes like me, smiling. If it weren't for those pictures, I'd have no idea what my mother looked like while she was alive. The sound of approaching footsteps distracted me from looking at the portraits.

"Naoma, are you prepared for the day ahead?" The approaching figure asked. I recognized them as Rebecca Henderson, my father's assistant. She had short red hair and brown eyes that were framed with blue glasses. She wore a white shirt and a black tie underneath a blue sweater. She wore a black pencil skirt and black heeled boots.

Rebecca began to straighten my clothes, being the perfectionist that she is. "I'm fine, Rebecca..." I muttered, but she didn't listen to me. I couldn't stay angry at her for long, though; she's been my mother figure and my only confidant for my whole life. I was happy that I had at least someone to rely on.

"You still wear your belt like that..." she sighed, shaking her head at my fake kitty tail. "You'll trip over that thing one day, what with you wandering around."

I hesitated before asking Rebecca a question I've probably asked at least three times every year. "Rebecca... why does my father not allow me to go outside? Go to school and have friends like everyone else?"

Rebecca paused before sighing again. "You know why your father restricts your outside activities." she said as we walked into the dining room. "We've spoken about it many times before. He-"

"-only wants to keep me safe." I finished. "Yeah, great job he's doing if I haven't seen him for years, despite us living in the same house." I took a seat at the dining table and opened my books, taking a pen out of my pocket. Instead of me going to school (LIKE I WANT TO), one of Rebecca's duties of taking care of me is being my teacher. I forced myself to pay attention as she talked about some famous scientist named after a sugary food, but I couldn't help but long for some friends to sit next to in my studies.

~ ~ ~

I was allowed a break for lunch, so I dashed up to my room and waited for the cook to finish making food. He's technically my 'personal chef', but saying that I have a personal anything makes me feel like a snobby rich kid. Anyway, I flicked on my TV and listened to the news reporter talk about Ironbark Quarters. That's the name that people hundreds of years ago gave the large cave on the edge of town. Nobody has been there for ages because it's apparently filled with slippery paths and an endless abyss. Basically: it's dangerous, and kids all over town are told by their parents to never to even try and enter. Despite my burning curiosity, I never stepped foot into that place, mainly because of my father's restrictions. So when I heard about the recent news, my curiosity was increased.

"The police have advised citizens to stay away from the dungeon, as recent demonic activity has been reported." the newswoman continued.

"Recent demonic activity...?" I repeated. "It can't be THAT bad, right...?" Despite what I was saying, I was even more interested to investigate. Of course, the same old problem still loomed: I'm not allowed to leave the house at all. I'd have to sneak out at night, when nobody's around.

I waited until the end of the week to launch my plan. As soon as I had time on Friday, I began my search for a flashlight. I'm no genius, but I know how dark it gets around Flewick at night.

My mission of sneaking out of the manor went easier than expected; neither Rebecca or my... 'unique' stepbrother were anywhere to be found, so the only obstacle was the old and creaky as heck front door. I made sure I opened the door just enough for me to be able to fit through a big enough gap before dashing out of the gates and down the road. Detective Naoma Trudeau was on her way to uncovering the secret of Ironbark Quarters!!

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I don't even know if anybody is reading this so I'll just run away now-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!