The ocean waves lapped gently against the shore as Ariel walked, her feet sinking into the soft sand with each step. The wind carried the scent of saltwater, and the cries of Wingulls echoed overhead. Just off the shore, Magikarp swam in lazy circles, oblivious to everything around it. Ariel smiled to herself, remembering the moment they’d struck their “sacred accord.”

It hadn’t been some dramatic battle, like the stories she’d heard growing up, where trainers earned their Pokémon’s respect through feats of strength or bravery. No, her agreement with Magikarp had been quiet, almost unspoken.

Sure, it wasn’t the stuff of legends, but it was theirs. A quiet understanding forged over years of watching each other. It was unique, special in its own way. She grinned, brushing her damp hair out of her face as she continued her walk back toward the village.

But her thoughts drifted to another Pokémon—Feebas. The drab, unimpressive fish had always fascinated her. While her bond with Magikarp was strong, Feebas was another story. They weren’t as close, but Ariel admired the little fish’s persistence, its hidden potential. Magikarp’s evolution into Gyarados was legendary, but Feebas’s eventual transformation into Milotic was... beautiful.

“I’ll have to work on convincing you too, won’t I?” she murmured to herself, glancing back at the ocean where Feebas occasionally swam. The bond wasn’t there yet, but she was determined. If she could partner with Magikarp, she could win over Feebas too. She just needed time.

The thought made her heart race with excitement. But as much as her mind buzzed with thoughts of her future team, she wasn’t leaving just yet. There were still a couple of years before she would officially set off on her journey. Sinnoh was a vast region, and traveling wasn’t something to take lightly. She’d need to be well-prepared, and she had plenty of time to get everything in order.

The rhythmic sound of the ocean faded as she entered the village. The familiar wooden houses, the smell of cooking from the neighbors’ homes, and the sound of children playing greeted her. It was home, for now, but her mind was already elsewhere—out on the road, facing challenges, and growing stronger with her Pokémon.

As the small home came into view, smoke rose lazily from the chimney, and the scent of her mother’s cooking wafted through the air. Ariel’s stomach growled as she neared. She liked to think she was decent in the kitchen herself, despite her family’s attempts to... well, “support” her efforts.

In truth, Ariel’s cooking was disastrous. It was a small miracle that no one had been poisoned yet. Her meals often resembled a mix of things that shouldn’t exist in the same dish, but her family had always smiled through it. They would gently nudge each other under the table, silently agreeing to keep encouraging her to practice, even if it was pure survival instinct at this point.

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But Ariel remained blissfully unaware. In her mind, she wasn’t half-bad—maybe even decent. I’ll cook my own meals when I go on my journey, she mused confidently as she approached the house.

As she opened the door, the familiar warmth of home greeted her. Her father sat at the kitchen table, a newspaper in hand, while Kai lounged in the corner, his Floatzel sitting obediently beside him.

Kai glanced up as she entered, his smirk deepening as soon as he caught sight of her

Her mom turned from the stove and smiled warmly. “Ariel! Just in time for lunch. How was the reef that you wanted to visit?”

Ariel grinned as she sat down at the table. “it was great! I talked to Magikarp today.”

Her mother raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh? And how did that go?”

Ariel puffed up with pride, her grin widening. “We agreed. Magikarp’s going to be my partner when I start my journey.”

There was a pause in the room. Her parents exchanged a look, one Ariel missed entirely, too wrapped up in her excitement. She didn’t notice the subtle tension between them as they silently pondered what this meant for their daughter. Meanwhile, Kai’s smirk faded into a more serious expression.

“That’s great, Ariel,” her father said, though his voice held a cautious undertone. “Magikarp, huh?”

“Mhm!” Ariel nodded eagerly. “We’re going to travel together. He’s going to be my starter.”

Her mother smiled gently, but there was a slight hesitation. “That’s a big step. Have you thought about what kind of trainer you want to be?”

Ariel blinked, momentarily thrown by the question. “What do you mean?”

Before her mother could answer, Kai spoke up, his tone more serious than usual. “I think you should consider contests, Ariel. I’ve been saying for months that I think you’d be great at them. You’ve got an eye for beauty and style. Pokémon Contests are about showcasing not just strength, but creativity, coordination, and flair.” He tried to convince her, but a hint of uncertainty lingered in his gaze.

Ariel frowned, feeling a mix of confusion and determination. “But I want to be a trainer too,” she insisted. In her previous life, she had chased after medals with a laser focus, missing out on the fun parts of the journey. Now, she wanted to embrace everything, the challenges and the joy of it all. “I want to do both.”

Kai regarded her with newfound intensity. “Really? Both?”

“Yes!” she replied, sitting up straighter. “I don’t see why I can’t.”

Kai leaned back in his chair, contemplating her words. After a long pause, he nodded. “Alright, I’ll accept that.”

Ariel blinked, surprised. “You will?”

“But,” he added, holding up a hand, “I’ve got a few conditions.”

Ariel rolled her eyes internally. I didn’t ask for your permission, she thought, but seeing the look on his face, she knew this wasn’t a battle worth fighting. After all, he was only looking out for her.

Her mother interjected gently, “It’s her choice, Kai. Ariel will figure out what path is right for her.”

Ariel smiled, grateful for her mother’s support. “Exactly. I’ll make my own decisions.”

Kai nodded slowly, and for a moment, the room was filled with a quiet understanding, the tension melting away as they embraced the possibilities ahead. Ariel felt a rush of excitement at the thought of all that lay in store for her—a journey filled with friends, challenges, and the promise of adventure.

With Magikarp by her side and the support of her family, she was ready to carve her own path, one filled with both battles and contests, embracing every moment along the way.