Quoted By:
Billy. Little, eight-year-old Billy.
Billy told his friends that his favorite Pokemon ever was Linoone. 'That Pokemon’s so lame' they laughed. Of course Billy laughed with them, despite the fact that he wanted to cry. He didn’t care if Linoone was strong or cool because he loved that Pokemon all the same.
Linoone never left and got "lost" like his Dad. Linoone was never sleeping on the floor like Mommy with her adult juice. Linoone brought little Billy presents, unlike Uncle Jim who always smelled like the ‘smokey’ store that Billy wasn’t allowed in. When Billy couldn’t play with Grandpa anymore, because he had moved into a small box under the ground, Linoone was still there. When Grandma couldn't recognize him anymore Billy was scared, but Linoone gave him comfort. Billy didn’t care; to him Linoone was the very best like no one ever was.
Billy had saved up for months, as many Holidays and Birthdays as he could, to buy a switch. Finally the day was here, Pokemon Sword and Shield. Billy's excitement was palpable. He ran to his room, closed the door, and turned the volume up so high that he couldn’t even hear Mommy’s crying. Billy had seen the pictures of Pokemon Home, how he could take Pokemon from old games and put them into Sword and Shield. It was finally time to start a brand new adventure with his buddy Linoone.
But Billy never saw the Nintendo E3 direct. He didn’t know the truth.
Billy’s hand hovered over the 'transfer' button. He brought his finger down in anticipation. “This Pokemon is not available in the Galar region.”
There was a knock at the door.
He tried again... “This Pokemon is not available in the Galar region.”
Tears welled up in Billy’s eyes. This time the door was banging quite loudly.
Billy reached out once more, but the door had finally burst. It was Mr. Masuda himself. Masuda rushed towards Billy, fierce and terrible, and grabbed him by the throat.
“It's too cold.”
