The sun was high in the sky, casting golden light over Rivertide Village. Ariel sat on a wooden dock that jutted out into the ocean, her feet dangling just above the water. The rhythmic lapping of the waves was calming, and she watched as Magikarp splashed playfully in the shallows nearby. It had been another long day at school, but she couldn’t help but smile as she replayed her lessons in her mind.

She had just been thinking about how she would catch her own Pokémon someday when her thoughts drifted to her older brother, Kai. He had been unusually quiet ever since he returned to the village, and despite his decision to stay and work as a fisherman, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was bothering him.

As if on cue, Kai appeared at the end of the dock, his shadow stretching long against the water. Ariel looked up at him, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. He seemed lost in thought, his hands tucked into the pockets of his worn jacket. His usually carefree face looked tired, and a faint frown tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Kai!" she called out, waving him over. "Come sit with me."

Kai snapped out of his reverie and made his way down the dock, sitting beside her with a heavy sigh. For a while, they sat in companionable silence, both watching the ocean stretch out to the horizon.

Ariel broke the silence first. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, squirt," Kai replied, though his voice lacked the usual teasing tone. He stared out at the sea, his eyes distant.

"You never really told me about your journey," Ariel began hesitantly. "I mean, why did you stop and come back home? What do you need to become a trainer, anyway? Like, how does it work?"

A conflicted expression flickered across Kai’s face. He rubbed the back of his neck, as if unsure of how to answer. After a moment, he sighed and leaned back on his hands, staring up at the sky.

"Well, there’s a lot more to it than they make it seem on TV," Kai started slowly. "Becoming a Pokémon trainer… it’s not as simple as just getting your starter and setting off into the world."

Ariel listened intently, eager to hear every detail. She had always imagined it would be like the shows she’d watched as a kid—Professor Rowan giving out starters to bright-eyed trainers, everyone getting a chance to be a hero. But she could tell from Kai’s expression that the reality was more complicated.

"For starters," Kai continued, "you need to get a certificate from the nearest Pokémon Center. It’s like proof that you have the basic knowledge required to take care of Pokémon and handle them in battle."

"That doesn’t sound so hard," Ariel remarked, tilting her head. "You already know so much about Pokémon."

Kai chuckled softly. "Yeah, but it’s more than just knowing about Pokémon. You have to pass some tests—stuff like handling different types of Pokémon, basic first aid for them, even some wilderness survival skills. After that, you need to get your starter Pokémon, a few Pokéballs, and some essential gear."

Ariel’s eyes lit up at the mention of a starter Pokémon. "Do you go to Professor Rowan for your starter?" she asked eagerly, picturing the scene from her favorite Pokémon episodes.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of Kai’s lips. He shook his head slowly, the bitterness in his voice unmistakable. "No, Ariel. Those ‘privileges’ are only for the best of the best. Trainers whose families are connected to the League, gym leaders, or even professors themselves. People with powerful connections—legacy trainers. Nepotism at its finest."

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Ariel frowned at the unfamiliar yet familiar word. "Nepotism?"

Kai’s smile faded. He glanced at her, his eyes shadowed with frustration. "It means people get special treatment because of who they know or who they’re related to. Like if your parents are important, or if you have money or influence, you get stuff handed to you. Trainers like us? We’re just... ordinary."

"So no one from our village gets a starter from Professor Rowan?" Ariel asked, feeling a pang of disappointment. She had always imagined getting her very own Pokémon from one of the most famous professors in Sinnoh.

Kai shook his head. "No way. Someone like me wouldn’t even get past the gate. Rowan’s starters are reserved for the top-tier trainers—the ones with connections. That’s how it works."

Ariel’s heart sank a little, but she wasn’t entirely disheartened. She thought about Magikarp, her faithful companion. It wasn’t the strongest Pokémon, and it certainly wasn’t a ‘starter’ in the traditional sense, but it was hers, and she loved it all the same.

"That’s okay," she said, trying to sound upbeat. "I have Magikarp, and we’ll get stronger together. We don’t need a fancy starter."

Kai glanced at her, his expression changing as if he was think about something. "You’ve always been different, Ariel. Always so positive."

Ariel grinned. "Why not? I mean, Magikarp’s already perfect, and I can catch other Pokémon on my journey, right?"

Kai smiled faintly, a smile that did not reach his eyes but didn’t say anything for a moment. He looked back out at the ocean, the waves reflecting the fading light of the sun. After a while, he continued, his voice low and serious.

"It’s not just the starter, Ariel. There’s so much more you need to think about. You need a proper bag, Pokéballs, healing items like sprays and potions, maybe a few basic berries to help your Pokémon recover in battle. You’ve got to have the right gear—tents, sleeping bags, cooking supplies—because you’ll be out there on your own for days at a time."

Ariel nodded along, taking mental notes. "What about communication? Like, how do trainers keep in touch when they’re traveling?"

Kai’s expression turned grim again. "That’s another thing. Most trainers use devices like PokéGears or Pokédexes, but those are super expensive. Most kids don’t have the money to buy one unless they’re sponsored by someone or come from a rich family. We’re lucky if we can even afford a basic tablet or phone."

Ariel’s brow furrowed. "Sponsored?"

"Yeah, sponsors are usually local businesses or wealthy families that support trainers. They provide money, supplies, even Pokémon in some cases, but you’ve got to be lucky or know the right people to get one."

Ariel’s heart sank again. "So… it’s really hard to get started, huh?"

Kai nodded, his face clouded with the frustration he had been holding back for so long. "It’s tough, Ariel. Really tough. That’s why so many people give up after their first gym or two. It’s expensive, it’s exhausting, and if you don’t have support, it feels like you’re fighting an uphill battle the whole way."

Ariel looked down at her feet, the gravity of Kai’s words settling in. She had always imagined that becoming a trainer was about battling, exploring, and forming bonds with Pokémon, but she hadn’t considered the practical challenges. It wasn’t just about catching Pokémon and earning badges—it was about survival, preparation, and a lot of hard work.

"Why did you come back?" Ariel asked quietly, her voice almost a whisper. She had never dared to ask before, but now she needed to know. "Was it too hard?"

Kai stared at the horizon, his jaw clenched. His silence stretched on for what felt like minutes, and just when Ariel thought he wouldn’t answer, he spoke.

"I wasn’t ready," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "I thought I was, but I wasn’t. I had to make the choice to come back before it got worse."

Ariel felt a lump form in her throat. She wanted to say something comforting, something to reassure him, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she just leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I’m sorry, Kai," she said softly.

Kai blinked, as if surprised by her words. Slowly, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a side hug. "It’s not your fault, squirt. Life’s just… complicated."

They sat there together, watching the sun dip below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The world seemed so vast, and for the first time, Ariel truly understood the weight of the journey ahead of her. But even so, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of determination deep inside her.

One day, she would go on her own journey and no matter how hard it was, she wouldn’t give up. Not with Magikarp by her side.