As Ariel emerged from the cave, blinking against the sudden sunlight, she let out a breath of relief. She had done it. She had ventured into the darkness, faced the remnants of her old fear, and come out the other side unscathed. But one thing was clear—she still didn’t like caves. Not one bit.

Sure, she had managed to stay calm and keep the fear at bay this time, but she could feel the lingering discomfort in her chest. Caves were tight, cold, and confining—none of which sat well with her. Ariel couldn’t imagine having to spend any more time in them than necessary.

“Definitely going to avoid those whenever I can,” she muttered to herself, running a hand through her blue hair. The thought of Mt. Coronet loomed in the back of her mind. Traversing through the massive mountain range was often the fastest route for any aspiring trainer in Sinnoh. But if she had anything to say about it, she’d find another way. There were other paths, right? Even if they took longer.

She brushed the damp sand off her legs, glancing down at Magikarp, who flopped playfully in the shallow water. The fish Pokémon had been her constant companion for years now, never far from her side during her swims or explorations. There was something comforting about Magikarp’s carefree nature—it grounded her, reminded her to enjoy the journey, just like she’d promised herself years ago.

But now that her journey was inching closer, Ariel had started thinking more seriously about what kind of trainer she wanted to be. The question haunted her more frequently lately. Did she want to specialize in a single type, or be a generalist who could adapt to any situation?

The answer came to her almost immediately: she would be a Water-type specialist. It wasn’t just because of her love for swimming or the endless hours she spent in the ocean. It was something deeper, something that had always called to her. Water Pokémon felt like an extension of herself. They were fluid, adaptable, calm yet capable of immense power when needed. It fit her.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she watched Magikarp swim in slow, lazy circles in the shallow waves. That little fish had been with her for so long, through her childhood and early training. But now, if she was going to be serious about becoming a trainer, she needed to start thinking bigger. What kind of team did she want?

“Okay, let’s see...” she mused, crouching down by the water's edge. “I’ll need more than just Water-types if I want to go far. Maybe a Water/ Flying type... something that can help me get around quickly. And a Water/Psychic type that can teleport. That’d be super useful. Oh, and definitely something that can heal. Having a Pokémon that can support the others would make a huge difference.”

Her mind spun with possibilities, the faces of Pokémon she’d read about or seen in passing flickering in her thoughts. So many choices, so many combinations. But before she could think too far ahead, she realized there was something important she needed to address first: her starter.

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To the Legacy Children, Professor Rowan would offer a choice between three starter Pokémon—Piplup, Turtwig, or Chimchar. Piplup, the Water-type, would be the obvious choice for her. It was adorable, reliable, and would eventually evolve into the powerful Empoleon.

But her thoughts didn’t linger on Piplup. Instead, her gaze turned to Magikarp, who was still swimming in circles, completely oblivious to her inner debate. Ariel knew in her heart that there was only one Pokémon she truly wanted by her side when she started her journey.

Magikarp.

It might not have been the most conventional choice. In fact, most trainers avoided Magikarp, considering it weak and almost useless until it evolved. But Ariel knew better. She had seen Magikarp grow stronger over the years. She had watched its determination, even in its seemingly simple nature. And, most of all, they had been together for so long. There was no other Pokémon that felt more like the true beginning of her journey than Magikarp.

The real question was, did Magikarp want her as its partner? Ariel knew that the bond between trainer and Pokémon was a two-way street. She couldn’t just assume Magikarp would want to follow her, even if they had been inseparable for years. He deserved the choice, just as much as any other Pokémon.

With that thought in mind, she took a deep breath and crouched by the water, watching as Magikarp’s golden scales glistened in the sunlight.

“Hey,” she called softly, leaning down to get its attention. “Magikarp.”

The fish Pokémon stopped swimming in circles and glanced up at her with those wide, blank eyes. Ariel felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. This was it—the moment that would define the start of her journey.

“I’m getting ready to start my journey soon,” she said, her voice steady but quiet. “And... well, I was wondering... would you want to join me? Like, officially. As my first Pokémon.”

Magikarp stared at her for a long moment, its tail barely flicking in the water. Ariel’s heart raced. Was it actually thinking about it? Could it even understand what she was asking? She wasn’t sure how to read the fish’s expression—if it even had an expression.

Just as she was about to say something else, Magikarp suddenly leapt out of the water, smacking right into her chest and knocking her back into the shallows. Water splashed everywhere as she let out a surprised yelp, arms flailing to catch herself.

When she finally sat up, soaked and laughing, Magikarp was flopping next to her, looking smug—at least as smug as a Magikarp could look. Ariel wiped the water from her face, her laughter turning into a bright smile.

“You... you jerk,” she said between laughs, reaching out to gently pat its head. “That’s a yes, huh?”

Magikarp gurgled happily, flopping back into the water and swimming in joyful circles. There were no flashy battles, no dramatic struggles, no grand speeches of trust and loyalty. But this moment, this quiet agreement between them, was perfect. It wasn’t about proving themselves to each other. It was about years of understanding, trust, and companionship.

Ariel stood up, her wet clothes sticking to her skin, but she didn’t care. This was it. This was the beginning of her journey, her adventure. Magikarp would be her starter, her partner. It wasn’t the traditional start most trainers had, but it was uniquely hers.

With Magikarp by her side, she knew she could take on whatever challenges the world threw at her. She would build her team, travel across Sinnoh, and one day, maybe even face her fears of caves and darkness. But for now, this was enough.

She was ready.