“It was raining.  Pouring, really.  The kind of rain that makes it look like a Blastoise is right outside your office window. The kind of day you don’t use a Geodude or an Onix.  The kind of day where the whole world is under a Jigglypuff’s spell. Maybe the Bulbas enjoy this.  Not me.

I rolled off my office couch (my bed for the last three days), and felt the overwhelming sensation that I’d become a fat Snorlax somwhere between December and now.  I looked at the empty Pokeballs around the room.  Some of them different colors: the ones that once tamed a stronger breed out there in the field.  The colors that denote an ambition I lost a long time ago.  Sure, I used to be just like you.  I hungered.  I yearned.  I wanted to be the very best.  Like no one ever was.  But somewhere along that grassy road I heard one to many people shout “!” and I just lost sight of the cause: to train them- Huh!  Even catch them at all.  Now, I just wait around sucking a lonely cigarette as the rain patters on my window.  It’s funny:  my name meaning the waste after a fire.  Maybe I didn’t give up at all.  Maybe my entire life I was just the end of a cigarette.  The butt of one big joke.

My lighter’s out.  If only I still had a Charmander around.  Maybe even a Scyther to cut the end of a cigar I’ve been saving for a special occasion.  Now is as good a time as any to- What’s that?

A knocking at the door.  Probably just the mail.  I’ll let him drop it through the slot.  They always deliver the mail don’t they?  Rain or shine.  As dependable as a Machop against most types.

This woman at the door had a level ten pair a legs, and the face to match.  I didn’t recognize her at first, but the R on her shirt told me the whole history.  We used to be enemies.  Looked like now we’d have to work together.

“Tell me, baby.  How’s the rocket business?”

“The Rocket was a racket the whole time”

“Really?  The Rocket’s a racket? Who could have seen that coming?”

“Not even a Kadabra and a Kirlia put together.  I know we’ve mistreated you in the past, but that was the past.  I need your help.  I’m down on my luck these days.”

“Mewtwo?”

“What?”

“A bad joke.”  I felt like a Magikarp.  I couldn’t even get her to crack a smile.  I was all washed up and covered in water.  And my joke had just flopped.

“Please, I need you more now than new trainer needs a Poke Center.”

“Well this should go swimmingly.  Just leave your card on my desk, and I’ll get right back to you.”

“You always were good at brushing me off.  I guess you have bigger adventures to worry about.”

“I’m done with all that.  Ever since Oak died, I haven’t been worth the ethers I’ve been huffing.  I’ll do your dirty work for you.  Unless your cat is still willing.”

“Just go to this address, and take the photos…For old time’s sake.”

She handed me a card, and closed my door as she walked out.  I took my camera from my desk drawer, and blew the dust off.  I hadn’t used this thing since Professor Oak sent me on that wild psyduck chase on the Zero-One.  I didn’t want too, but I was dying for a paycheck.  I haven’t felt good about a case since the whole world went Digi.  But this was gonna be an old school job, and I was just the guy to do it.  I already had a lead on a first-gen Pokemon.  It was time to take a quick look at my old friend Pikachu.

Further reporting by Dan Wilbur.