The morning after Ariel’s battle with Feebas dawned quietly. The sky, a soft blend of pinks and oranges, stretched lazily over the horizon as the first rays of sunlight kissed the sea. The waves rolled gently against the shore, the sound a familiar, calming lullaby. But inside Ariel’s mind, the excitement from the previous day hadn’t faded. It hummed beneath her skin, a constant reminder that she had taken her first steps as a Pokémon Trainer.

She stood in front of her house, staring out at the ocean. In her hand, the two Pokéballs containing Magikarp and Feebas felt heavier than ever. It wasn’t just the weight of her newly caught Pokémon; it was the responsibility that came with them. A responsibility that she was eager to shoulder but also cautious about.

Goldy stood beside her, ever watchful, the sun reflecting off his sleek, blue feathers. His gaze drifted between Ariel and the horizon as if sensing her internal struggle.

“I know, Goldy,” she said quietly, “I can’t believe it either.”

The Golduck quacked softly, offering his quiet reassurance.

A door creaked open behind her, and Ariel turned to see her father, Aron, step outside, his usual absent-minded look replaced with a rare glint of pride. He had heard about the battle from Selene.

“I see you’re up early,” he said, rubbing his scruffy beard. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Ariel shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Too much to think about.”

Aron stepped closer, standing beside her as they both gazed out at the ocean. “That’s good,” he said after a moment of silence. “It means you’re taking this seriously.”

Ariel glanced up at him. “Dad, I know Feebas chose me, but I didn’t really win, did I?”

Her father chuckled softly. “It’s not always about winning, Ariel. Pokémon don’t care about victory in the same way people do. Feebas was looking for something more—trust, respect, and perhaps a bit of understanding. You gave it that. Sometimes, that’s worth more than a victory in battle.”

Ariel mulled over his words, feeling a little less weighed down by her earlier thoughts.

“And besides,” Aron added, “Magikarp did his best, didn’t he?”

She couldn’t help but grin at that. “Yeah, he really did.”

Aron clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, your mother’s got breakfast ready. We’ll need to discuss your next steps.”

As they headed back toward the house, Ariel’s thoughts wandered. What were her next steps? She had her first two Pokémon, but there was still so much to learn—so many challenges to face.

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Later, at the breakfast table, the family gathered together, the smell of freshly baked bread and scrambled eggs filling the room. Kai, her older brother, sat across from her, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

“So,” he said, leaning forward, “you’re officially a trainer now, huh? How does it feel to catch a Magikarp and a Feebas?”

Ariel narrowed her eyes at him, recognizing the teasing tone. “It feels pretty great, actually.”

Kai laughed, but it wasn’t unkind. “I’m just kidding. Honestly, it’s impressive, Ariel. I didn’t think Feebas would go for it, but you pulled it off.”

Their mother, Selene, set down a plate of toast. “Both Magikarp and Feebas have potential. You’ll need to work hard with them if you want to see what they can truly become.”

Ariel nodded, absorbing her mother’s words. Magikarp’s potential was well-known—it could evolve into Gyarados, one of the most powerful Water-types out there. But Feebas… Feebas was more of a mystery. She knew from her past life that it could evolve into Milotic, but not many people knew that in this world.

“Speaking of Feebas,” Aron said, wiping his mouth with a napkin, “I have a bit of advice for you.”

Ariel looked up, curious.

“Magicarp may have chosen you, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy road. They’re notoriously hard to evolve, but if you can find a way to bond with it, to truly connect, I believe you’ll see it evolve into something magnificent.”

Ariel considered his words, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead.

“And don’t forget,” Selene chimed in, “your journey is just beginning. There’s no rush to prove yourself to anyone. Take your time, learn from your Pokémon, and most importantly, enjoy it.”

Her mother’s advice resonated deeply with Ariel. She had been given a second chance at life, and she was determined to make the most of it, but that didn’t mean she had to rush through it.

“I will,” Ariel promised, her voice quiet but filled with determination.

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After breakfast, Ariel decided to spend the day training with Magikarp and Feebas. The beach had become her sanctuary—a place where she could connect with her Pokémon without the distractions of the village.

She released Magikarp first, watching as it flopped onto the wet sand with a series of energetic splashes. The simple movement brought a smile to her face.

“Alright, Magikarp,” Ariel said, kneeling down beside him. “Let’s see if we can do more than just Splash today.”

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The Pokémon blinked up at her, its expression as blank as ever, but Ariel could feel the trust between them. She wasn’t expecting miracles, but she knew that every small step counted.

For the next hour, Ariel worked with Magikarp, encouraging it to move more quickly through the water, to build its strength. She didn’t have many moves to work with, but that didn’t matter. It was about building their bond, about growing together.

Eventually, she released Feebas, who swam near the shore, watching Magikarp’s efforts with a critical eye. Ariel knelt at the water’s edge, her fingers skimming the surface as she called out softly to Feebas.

“I know you’re stronger than Magikarp,” she said, her voice gentle. “But we’re all part of the same team now. We’ll get stronger together.”

Feebas didn’t respond, but it didn’t swim away either. Ariel took that as a good sign.

As the sun began to set, casting the sky in a warm golden hue, Ariel realized that the day had been a success—not in the sense of battles won or moves learned, but in the slow, steady progress they had made together.

She stood up, her feet sinking into the cool sand. “We’ll keep at it,” she promised, looking down at both of her Pokémon. “We’ll get there, one step at a time.”

As she recalled Magikarp and Feebas back into their Pokéballs, Ariel felt a deep sense of contentment. Her journey was just beginning, but already she could see the path ahead. It wasn’t just about becoming strong—it was about the bond she shared with her Pokémon, the trust they placed in her, and the promise of what was to come.

The small fishing village of Seaward wasn’t known for its gossip, but news traveled fast when it involved Ariel Rivers, especially now that she had captured two Pokémon: a Magikarp and a Feebas. The village, usually quiet and focused on daily routines of fishing and trade, had something new to talk about. And it wasn’t all kind.

“She’s aiming to enter a journey with a Magikarp as her starter?” one villager whispered, her hands deftly braiding a fishing net. “Not just that, but entering those new Pokémon Contests too, with a Feebas of all things! The weakest and the ugliest water types out there. To enter into competitions where the strongest and most beautiful are valued. She’s a sweet girl, but this is a bit too ambitious.”

A chuckle rippled through the gathered crowd at the village square, where many of the older fishermen shared their thoughts. Their faces were weathered by the sea and their smiles always kind, but the disbelief was apparent.

“She’ll last, what? A couple of weeks?” another joked, scratching his chin. “If we’re lucky, maybe three before she comes running back home.”

Kai, who sat a few feet away, was the one who had started this conversation. His expression remained neutral, but inside, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of frustration and concern. He loved his sister—more than anything. And though he wanted her to succeed, he feared that her aspirations were too grand. His protective instincts flared up, and he had decided early on that lowering the village’s expectations for her was better than letting her face the sting of failure.

“If they all think she’ll fail, she won’t feel as bad if things don’t work out,” Kai muttered to himself. Better the villagers mock her lightly now than have her face harsher ridicule when she returned home empty-handed. He wasn’t doing this to be cruel; he was doing this to shield her. To make her journey just a little bit easier to bear.

But even so, every joke, every comment seemed to chip away at his heart. He wanted her to succeed, but he couldn't ignore reality.

“Are you going to take bets on how long she lasts, Kai?” one of his friends teased, nudging him with an elbow.

Kai forced a laugh, though it tasted bitter. “Maybe,” he replied lightly, “but don’t bet on her giving up easily. She’s stubborn, you know.”

And she was. Even as the village murmured and laughed, Ariel remained focused. Every morning, she trained her Magikarp, watching as it flopped around in the shallow waters near the shore, determined to one day evolve. And every evening, she sat by the docks, Feebas at her side, the two sharing silent conversations. Feebas still wasn’t strong or beautiful in the eyes of others, but to Ariel, it was already magnificent.

Her family, meanwhile, observed her with surprise.

“Are you not bothered by what they’re saying?” her mother, Selene, asked one evening as they sat by the fire. “You must have heard the talk by now.”

Ariel shrugged, poking at the fire with a stick. “Of course, I’ve heard. They think I’m foolish. That I’ll give up.”

“And you’re not upset?” Selene pressed, though not unkindly. There was genuine curiosity in her voice. She had seen countless young trainers give up after their first defeat or after realizing the journey wasn’t as glamorous as they’d hoped. But Ariel was different. She wasn’t swayed by what others thought.

Ariel smiled softly. “It doesn’t bother me. I know I will succeed” She paused, gazing into the flickering flames.

Selene studied her daughter for a moment, then nodded. “I believe you.”

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But not everyone shared Selene’s faith. The villagers continued to smile and pat Ariel’s shoulder whenever they saw her, offering words that, while well-intentioned, were laced with doubt.

“Don’t push yourself too hard now, Ariel. You don’t have to prove anything to us, you know?”

“You’re still young. There’s plenty of time to catch better Pokémon.”

“Maybe try for a Buizel or something? A bit more… battle-ready.”

Even Kai, who should have been her biggest supporter, seemed more concerned with ensuring she didn’t set her hopes too high. He’d spend time with her, helping her with training, but his words often carried a tone of caution.

“You know, it’s okay if you don’t make it to the League,” he’d say, handing her a towel after a long day of training. “Most people don’t even get past a couple of gyms.”

Ariel would only smile in response, her confidence unshaken. She didn’t need them to understand. She had always set her own course in life, and this time would be no different.

And besides, she was used to people underestimating her. She’d been a silver medalist once—after years of people telling her she’d never even qualify for the Olympics. Back then, she had been driven by a desire to prove everyone wrong. This time, however, she wasn’t trying to prove anything to anyone but herself. This journey wasn’t about fame, or glory, or proving doubters wrong.

It was about her. About fulfilling a promise she had made to herself.

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One late afternoon, as Ariel practiced with Feebas by the shore, Kai approached her, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He watched as magicarp tried its best to execute a simple Tackle, splashing around with little success.

“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” Kai asked, his tone softer than usual.

Ariel didn’t look up from Feebas, her smile faint but unwavering. “Of course I am. Just because they’re weak now doesn’t mean they always will be.”

Kai sighed, scratching the back of his head. “I just… I don’t want you to get hurt. I know you’re strong, but….”

Ariel finally stood, brushing the sand from her legs as she turned to face her brother. Her expression was calm, but her eyes carried a fire that hadn’t dimmed since the day she had arrived in this world. “I appreciate it, Kai. I won’t give up just because people don’t believe in me. That’s not why I’m doing this.”

Kai blinked, a little taken aback by her resolve. He had always known his sister was tough, but there was something about the way she carried herself now that felt… different. Almost as if she had lived through lifetimes of challenges, not just the few years they’d spent together.

“I’m not worried about their jokes,” Ariel continued, her voice steady. “I know what I’m capable of. And so do Magikarp and Feebas. We’re going to surprise them all.”

Kai watched her for a long moment, then sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Alright, alright. If anyone can do it, it’s you. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep an eye on you.”

Ariel grinned, ruffling his hair. “I’d expect nothing less.”