The past four years had gone by in what felt like a blur for Ariel. Day after day, her thoughts circled around her future, her journey, and what it would mean for her to venture out into the world of Pokémon. It was still a couple of years before she would be of age to officially start, but she wasn’t idle—far from it. Each swim in the ocean, every interaction with Pokémon, and all the hours she spent listening to village tales or lessons from her parents and teachers felt like building blocks for something bigger.
She was preparing.
Sometimes, when she was swimming in the open sea with Magikarp, she’d close her eyes and let her mind wander to the future, trying to picture herself as a real Pokémon trainer. It was a strange thought. She had spent years, both in this life and the one before, dreaming of this moment. She should be more excited, right? But the truth was, she didn’t know exactly what she wanted yet. Everyone expected her to follow the path of a typical trainer—collecting badges, battling Gym Leaders, maybe even challenging the Elite Four someday.
But Kai had been pushing another idea for a while now—one that had taken root in her mind despite her hesitation. Contests.
Over the past few years, Pokémon Contests from Hoenn had been gaining popularity throughout Sinnoh, and Kai had been obsessed with the idea ever since they’d heard about it. He would spend hours going on about the various types of appeals, combinations of moves, and how it wasn’t just about battling but about showing the beauty and elegance of Pokémon. Whenever Ariel mentioned training or adventure, Kai would cut in, telling her she could be great at contests. His excitement made her head spin sometimes. It was like he was more eager for her to enter than she was.
“Think about it, Ariel!” Kai would say. “You love Water-types, right? Imagine how amazing it would be to show off how graceful they can be in a contest! You could combine Water moves with performance skills, do something new!”
She didn’t hate the idea. It was just… was it her? Could she really see herself in front of an audience, showing off her Pokémon instead of battling them? Ariel wasn’t sure. But she had to admit, the idea had planted itself in her head, nagging at her like a stubborn Shellder. What if Kai was right?
And yet, no matter how uncertain she was about the contest path or her journey ahead, there was one thing she was absolutely clear about. She had a goal. She had a theory to test.
It was something she hadn’t shared with anyone—not Kai, not her parents, not even her mother, who had noticed her frequent talks about the reefs near the village. Ariel had hinted about wanting to explore, but what she hadn’t told anyone was her real plan.
It wasn’t the reef she was after. It was the cave.
For the past few days, she had been preparing herself to visit the hidden cave near the beach. It wasn’t very big, but the idea of stepping inside made her heart pound. She couldn’t explain why, but something about tight, enclosed spaces still got to her. It wasn’t a daily concern—she didn’t feel suffocated by the open village or the endless sea. But it was the unknown. She hadn’t truly tested her old fears, the ones left behind by her previous life. How could she know for sure if she had overcome them if she never faced them?
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It was time. She had to know.
She packed a small bag early that morning, pretending she was headed for another swim with Magikarp, who had become her constant companion over the years. The fiery energy of her childhood had faded slightly, replaced by a quieter determination, but she knew she had to face this challenge head-on. Magikarp splashed happily at her side as they waded through the shallow waters.
“Alright, Magikarp, let’s see what we’ve got,” she muttered under her breath, staring at the cave entrance.
The cave wasn’t too far from the shore, hidden by rocks and seaweed. It looked dark and unwelcoming, the kind of place that most kids would dare each other to enter on a moonless night. But for Ariel, this wasn’t just a dare—it was a test of her own limits. Could she go in? Could she walk into the darkness, into the confined space, without panicking?
She had never spoken about it to anyone, but the memories of her past life—the earthquake, the darkness, the rubble trapping her, the claustrophobia—still haunted her. Even now, the thought of being confined in a small space made her stomach churn. She could feel the cold, sticky fear creeping up her spine.
But she had to do this. If she was going to be a Pokémon trainer—or whatever she decided to be—she couldn’t let this fear hold her back. There were countless caves in Sinnoh, many of them filled with Pokémon, mysteries, and legends. She couldn’t afford to be scared.
As they approached the entrance, Magikarp flopped a little closer, making a soft splash. Ariel crouched down beside her Pokémon and smiled. “You ready, Magikarp? Let’s see if I’m ready too.”
Magikarp gurgled in response, seeming less concerned about the dark cave and more about the possibility of jumping into another puddle. Ariel chuckled at its simple outlook on life.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward into the cave. The darkness closed in around her, cool and damp, the sound of dripping water echoing from somewhere deeper inside. Her footsteps were soft against the sandy floor, and she could feel the air becoming heavier the further she went.
Her heart pounded louder in her chest, and her fingers shook slightly as she reached into her bag for the small flashlight she had brought. She clicked it on, the beam slicing through the shadows.
Nothing. There was nothing to be afraid of.
Ariel let out a shaky breath, feeling the tension slowly drain from her body. It was dark, sure, but it was just a cave. The walls weren’t closing in on her, and the ceiling wasn’t falling. She wasn’t trapped.
“I can do this,” she whispered to herself, and it was more of a promise than a reassurance. “I can do this.”
Magikarp flopped along beside her, completely unaware of the internal battle raging inside Ariel. It was just another day for the fish Pokémon, but for Ariel, it was a victory. A small one, but a victory nonetheless.
After a few more minutes of exploration, Ariel turned back toward the entrance. The sunlight was still visible, filtering through the rocks in soft beams, and with it came a rush of relief. She had done it. She had walked into the cave and faced her fear head-on. She had won this round.
As they emerged back onto the beach, Ariel smiled, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. She wasn’t sure where her journey would take her—whether she’d enter contests, battle Gym Leaders, or do something entirely different—but she knew one thing for sure.
She was ready.
At least, more ready than she had been before.