~Prologue~
Over a Silver Sea
Dawn was breaking over the West Sea of Johto, and a silvery glimmer shone on the water's wind-chopped surface. A small silhoutette could be seen just over the horizon, and a man with flaming red, should-length hair had spotted it and was staring intently. He knew the shape of the thing, and had grown tense all of a sudden.
"Haven't seen you in a while..." he muttered. Minutes later, a Delibird was recognizable, flying easily with a seemingly empty pouch. It landed lightly next to the man, who was standing on a cliff overlooking the sea. A modest house sat upon this cliff, which is where the man made his home just a few miles North of the quiet seaside village of Cianwood. The man addressed the Delibird.
"Hello, old friend. It's been years since I last saw you..." The man seemed troubled by the reunion. The Delibird, who had been rather peppy moments before, grew suddenly serious. It delved into its sack-like tail and pulled out an envelope. Without a sound, it extended its arm to the man and stared at him rather intently, not moving a muscle.
The man stared at the envelope for a bit. It was very plain and white, with no marking other than two brief words written eloquently on the front: "To Silver." Sighing, he took it from the Delibird and opened it. The letter read as follows:
"Dearest brother,
Though I know you don't consider me family, we do, in fact, share a father, and you know I care deeply for you. But you absolutely refuse me any sort of partnership, which makes me so very sad! You're the only person I have left in this world, you know, and I do wish you'd come visit. If Delibird does not bring me a reply, I will understand your meaning, though I will be awfully disappointed. Consider this my final offer- Your last chance. After this, it's over. Our alliance will be no more. I certainly don't want that. Do you?
With love,
Sis"
Silver furrowed his brow as he read, as though deep in thought. He turned and stared out at the sea once more. The Delibird shuffled its feet and clenched its tail nervously, eyeing Silver's movements carefully.
"She insists on following in his footsteps..." he muttered. Then, very calmly, he returned the letter to its envelope, tore it up, and tossed the shreds over the cliff. As thousands of bits of paper rode the cool morning breeze into the sea like falling snow, the Delibird nodded in understanding. It trotted to the edge of the cliff. Looking over its shoulder, it gave Silver a sad smile, then took flight. Silver followed its flight until it was just a speck once more.