This Side of Paradise (Umbra)

[Rain]

``R A I N
``professor . L I L L I A N

It was a beautiful spring day, the kind of day you would see on a travel brochure. Sun shining, fluffy white clouds drifting across the sky, light dancing on the surface of a clear blue lake. At the side of said lake was a cottage. It was a small and quant cottage, one story high with an attic. Flowers bloomed in front of it, attracting some Bug Pokemon. However, it was what was behind the cottage that was truly astounding.

A huge garden…larger, perhaps, than the cottage itself. The space had a row of trees off to one side, others of varying height occurring occasionally within the garden. At the sides of the garden, flowers bloomed. There seemed to be other plants as well…vegetables, herbs, even some berry bushes. It seemed practically like a paradise – and inside that paradise were two humans and several Pokemon.

Rain and Lillian sat in the middle of the large space, watching their numerous Pokemon in the garden. It was about noon – lunch time. All of Rain’s Pokemon, along with Silva the Meganium, were here, and it had taken the two quite a while to cook enough for all of them. Still…the sight of them happy and full was a good reward. Rain smiled at Lily, who was currently curled up in her lap, purring in her sleep as the girl ran her fingers gently through lavender fur. On the girl’s shoulder was a Castform – Wymsy – who seemed to constantly beg for attention. Mugen, Rain’s Butterfree, was currently on Lillian’s shoulder, taking a couple of berries from the professor’s hand once in a while.

Off at the side, standing against one of the trees, was a Pokemon that belonged to neither Rain or Lillian. A Lucario with startling blue eyes…Soul. He had a small piece of bread in his hand, occasionally taking a bit. He seemed to be watching the others, almost protectively. No surprise, perhaps, considering who he was. Still, Rain wished he would calm down and have a little fun.

In front of the house was a Manetric, sitting at the cottage’s door. Ever-loyal Jolt…it was he who was waiting for Silver, the main reason Lillian and Soul were here. Rain had asked him to come today…but not knowing what time he would actually come, she had decided to just spend the day outside, getting some quality time with her Pokemon…something nobody really minded…

[Umbra]

Umbra- level 100
Suchi- level 72
Jet- level 100
Theo- level 82
Kriss-53

Several figures were walking steadily toward the little cottage from a distance, and by the way they walked, it was quite easy there was a purpose behind their steps.

In front was Umbra, the sly male umbreon who was Silver's starter. He walked with a confident gait, with a charming grin etched on his handsome black face. His red eyes were narrowed with determination, and the golden bands and rings on his body shimmered... He practically glowed with hidden dark power, a thing many people don't normally see unless he is battling... The level of his strength was overwhelming, and even a human could see the rippling lean muscles throughout his neck, shoulders, legs, and flanks, as well as the glossy black pelt.

Behind Umbra was Silver himself... Who had changed since he and Rain had last met... It was obvious he had been exercising all winter, as well as neglecting to get a hair cut. His short-sleeve white T shirt showed off his muscular arms and the shirt was tightened over his developing abs and chest. He also wore a pair of faded blue jeans, along with a pair of white running shoes. His skin was slightly tanner, though still a little pale, and a mane of unruly white hair went down to his neck. His sharp, calm face held a pair of haunting blue eyes... Eyes that held authority as a trainer... Eyes pokemon both feared and trusted.

Behind Silver was Suchi, almost like his personal body guard. Taller than Silver by about a foot and a half, she towered over the others present. She too had grown a little bit stronger, though not as much as she originally wanted to. The female bug pokemon's red, metallic shell gleamed in the sunlight like polished armor. Her wasp-like wings were neatly folded into her back, and her massive scissor-like pincers stayed by her side, gently waving with her *tac* sounding steps. Her sharp yellow eyes narrowed as they approached the group, gaging them... But they were mainly for the lucario, as they widened as she assessed his strength. Suchi looked thoughtful for a bit as she stared at him, before quickly turning away, as if embarrassed by something, and then regained her concentrated composure.

At Suchi's side was Theo. The male alakazam didn't have his spoons currently with him, and one of his clawed hands were behind his back, while the other one stroked his mustache thoughtfully... He seemed to be contemplating something, in which he only gave the group near Rain's cottage a slight glance with his slanted eyes before going back to his mental evaluations.

Lagging in the back, were Kriss and Jet.

Kriss hadn't changed much... Silver's regret was that he didn't train her much, but the impish little sableye didn't seem to mind... Actually, she was focused on something entirely, trying to win back one of her favorite pokeblock flavors from the much taller Jet.

Speaking of Jet, the buizel was much bigger than he had currently been. He had evolved into a floatzel. His waterproof brown pelt was over bristling muscle... He was quite heavy set. With a thick neck and shoulders, his stocky build was countered by his athletically toned legs and arms, which sported fins for swimming.

Apparently, Kriss wanted Jet's pokeblock, and the sabeleye was mumbling pretty graphic threats.

A sharp look by Silver quieted both of them, and with a roll of his eyes, Jet decided to do the mature thing and just give half of it to Kriss... he didn't want to deal with her obnoxious pranks later.

The white haired trainer looked mildly impressed with the pokemon gathered, but focused his attention on Rain and Lillian. "Rain, it's nice to meet you again. I got your letter."

He then turned to Lillian respectfully. "And you must be Professor Lillian... People call me Silver. I don't believe we have officially met." He informed as he extended a hand to shake, blue eyes calm, face stoic.

(Feel free to play Jet now Rain. ;D)

[Rain]

``S O U L the lucario;; level one-hundred

A little while before Silver and his Pokemon had arrived, Jolt had suddenly risen from his place in front of the house and padded back. Upon seeing the Electric Pokemon, Rain smiled and patted the Manectric on the head before allowing him to leave and lay down beneath a tree. Jolt's senses of hearing and smell could detect the group even before they got close enough for Rain to pick up the aura...of course, Rain hadn't been concentrating on that, but it was still quite amazing.

Gently picking up Lily in her arms and chuckling as Wymsy moved herself to the top of her head, Rain stood up, Lilian doing the same. Soul, meanwhile, had finished his bread and had now walked over to stand beside Rain, staring at the place that the group would first appear. Seconds later, Umbra walking in, closely followed by Silver and the rest of his Pokemon. Rain nodded to the boy, and Lilian took his hand, shaking it. Soul simply stood there, sharp blue eyes fixed on Silver and his team, while Lily lazily opened one eye and twitched her forked tail. Wymsy, meanwhile, floated off Rain's head and around the party curiously.

"Silver...I've heard quite a bit about you," the professor said, her voice holding a slightly interested tone. "Morty's son, right? I've met your father...very nice man...anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you."

---xxx---

Jet, looking bored and annoyed as always, stood at the back of the group, arms crossed as he muttered something about Kriss being an annoying immature little brat, among other, slightly harsher things. Stupid Sableye...I swear, that thing has mental issues... Looking around, the Floatzel took in the numerous Pokemon in the garden, although the bored expression never left his face.

As Wymsy floated about, the Castform drifted in front of the Water Pokemon, blinking. Jet only glared in return, growling, <"Buzz off, pipsqueak,"> before turning and facing the other way -- away from everyone else -- with a irritated huff.

[Umbra]

Silver looked mildly surprised, and smiled a little at the compliments at his father.

Ah dad... The ghost type gym leader of Ecrueteak. When Silver was a little boy, he would watch his father battle other trainers. Unlike most other pokemon, ghost type pokemon weren't known for their strength... They were known for their ability to manipulate things on the field.

That was where Silver got his interest in battling pokemon, and his unique and very effective way by using his pokemon's capabilities and strengths, rather than JUST rely on type advantage and levels of power.

"I had no idea you traveled that far." Silver said with a smile. "Ecruteak is kinda small town in Johto. If you were travelor, you didn't normally go there... Unless of course you wanted to challenge my father. My dad's cousin is Jasmine of Olivine... And my mother is from the nurse Joy family, though she and I mainly grew up in Goldenrod... I guess tarining and pokemon is in my blood."

[Rain]

Lilian smiled as well. "Well, I used to be a trainer before I took over the head professor job here," the woman explained. "I actually did challenge your father once...he's an excellent battler. But as a professor, I make it a point to know the gym leaders and the other professors, and to visit the other regions once in a while...after all, being a professor isn't just about knowing about what's going on in your own region; it's about knowing what's going on everywhere and how everything connects."

A small smile. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling now...we really should get to the point of why we're really here."

Rain smiled and nodded. "Right." The girl glanced briefly at the Lucario beside her. "This is Soul...he's going to be our guide to the Tree. He knows it better than any of us, and he'll be able to help us with the whole aura thing as well."

[Umbra]

Silver merely glanced at Soul with slight curiosity and thoughtfulness in his sharp, powerful blue eyes. He had heard about, but had never seen or even battled a lucario before... He did know they were sentient like alakazams. Like his Theo... Pokemon like that CHOSE their trainers. "Of course. That would make sense."

Silver turned his eyes away as he sat down on a lawn chair. Umbra hopped into his lap, purring contently as Silver gently stroked him. Like Lily and Rain, Umbra was a good stress remover. Suchi stood behind her trainer... And it could look quite amusing, like an old super villain movie, where the villain sat behind his desk, stroking his cat pokemon, with his alert bodyguard behind him. That scene was ruined when Kriss clambered on the chair and sat on Silver's shoulder, jewel-like eyes gleaming at the pokemon professor and Rain.

Theo stood nearby, leaning against a tree, sharp eyes and face clearly focused. "<Don't be mean to the castform Jet." Theo stated, eyes never leaving the group.