Factory smoke fills the evening sky of Origin City as the work day winds down. Pokemon across the city prepare to leave their day jobs while others prepare to go to their jobs as the night shift approaches. Metro trains zoom through the city, their long metallic bodies piercing through the smoke with ease. Sirens blare as police race through the back streets in pursuit of a suspected criminal.
Pokemon leave the big business buildings, factories, warehouses, etc. in droves. Some take to the streets to walk home, others hail Gogoat cabs or head for the metro. As the sun begins to set, the shadows of the buildings cast downwards onto the street. With the shadows darkening the world around them, Pokemon become more aware of their surroundings. A Rampardos worker shifts his gaze across the street in front of him, watching for potential assailants. A mother Swanna shelters her two Ducklett children under her wing as they head down into the metro station.
Inside the metro station, Pokemon of all backgrounds wait on the platform for the Electric Pokemon powered train to arrive. The walls are plastered with posters advocating "smart use of potions," another advertising a new brand of beverage called "Custap Cola" from the Croagunk Cola company. Some small posters show the faces of various missing Pokemon: A young Nidoran who went missing from a day care facility, a Braixen who left for school and never returned, an Axew who ran away from home. Additionally, wanted posters are posted along the walls leading to the entrances and exits of the metro. They feature Pokemon such as a Lilligant wanted for an illegal drug trafficking ring, a Salamence wanted for the murder of a fellow pilot, but nobody seems to pay much attention to them. In the corner of the station, a Scraggy tripping on Revives sits on the ground, making comments at passing Pokemon. Again, nobody pays attention to him.
Near the tracks, a Lucario waits for his train to arrive. He looks around at the ads and other Pokemon, sighing impatiently only to see his train pulling into station.
The Electivire powered train pulls into the station, the electric Pokemon cutting the power as he brings it to a stop. The doors open, and the train exchanges its exiting Pokemon for new passengers. The Lucario steps on, leaning against a pole due to cramped space. The doors are just about to close when a Charmeleon runs in at the last minute, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the doors. He grabs onto the Lucario for support as he catches his breath. The Lucario doesn't brush him off, instead just looking off into the nearby window as the blur of the tunnel wall moves past.
As the train moves further and further towards the end of the line, the number of new passengers dwindles. However, neither the Charmeleon nor the Lucario get off. This continues at every station until the train reaches the last stop. The Electivire conductor opens the doors, and makes his announcement over the intercom.
"Forge Station, last stop on the E line. All passengers must exit the train at this time. Have a nice evening."
Both the Charmeleon and Lucario exit the train with the rest of the passengers. The Forge Station platform stands out among the dark streets around it, with only a few dim lights to compete with the white lights of the platform. To the left of the station is the big Aggron Corp. factory, where much of the steel and other metal products are manufactured. Its size is enough to significantly dim the streets below it with its shadow during certain times of day. At this moment, it is just a silhouette against the night sky.
The Lucario walks towards the right side of the platform, going towards the small apartments located in the area. Most of the other Pokemon have already gained distance from him, none of them wanting to stay out on the street too long, the Lucario included. As he turns a corner around an old bakery, he feels something tug at his leg. He turns around to look, and is swiftly flipped and pinned to the ground by an unknown Pokemon, its identity masked by the darkness.
"What the hell are you doing?!" The Lucario exclaims, struggling to throw his attacker off, "HELP! SOMEBODY! HELP!"
His cry for help goes unanswered, for there is nobody else around to hear it.
"Oh, shut up, will you? Nobody's coming." The Pokemon answers, its body shifting enough that the Lucario is able to see a flame tipped tail on it.
"You! What is the meaning of this? Do you know who I am?" The Lucario barks, still trying to break free. "Listen, I don't know what you want with me, but if you let me go, I can make it worth your while."
The Charmeleon's claws sharpen, digging themselves into the Lucario's fur.
"This ain't about money, mutt. And I know who you are. Cronos Knight, Director of Marketing for Aggron Corp."
"Then I demand you let go of me this instant!"
The Charmeleon grins wickedly. "Whatever you say, bossman." He lets go of Cronos, but not before sinking a Fire Fang to the throat, using the attack to slit the Lucario's throat. Cronos makes a gagging sound, struggling to stay alive as he bleeds onto the pavement.
The Charmeleon climbs off of Cronos, leaving him for dead. As he sneaks away from the scene, he carves a mark into the sidewalk. A flame with a claw in the center. Then the Charmeleon leaps over a nearby fence, vanishing into the night.
A few hours later, a wandering Mienshao passes through the street on the way to her apartment.
"Another boring nightwatch job for the warehouse," She sighs, "Sometimes I wish something would happen just to spice things up."
It is at that moment she comes upon the body of Cronos lying in the street. She stops in her tracks, and moves closer to him in order to determine if she has found a dead body or just another homeless mon. Upon checking Cronos, her suspicions are confirmed.
"...This is not what I meant."