Ariel sat across from her brother Kai at the dinner table, the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the windows. It was a quiet night—just the two of them, their parents out at the docks finishing up the day’s work. This was the moment Ariel had been anticipating. She had already agreed to Kai's conditions, knowing he was only looking out for her, but now it was time to hear the specifics.
Kai leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he studied his sister. “Alright,” he began, his tone serious but not unkind, “let’s go over this again. You’ve agreed to let me help you prepare, but I’m not letting you head out until we go through a few things.”
Ariel nodded, her eyes calm. “I’m listening.”
“You’re strong-willed, I know that,” Kai said, his voice softening just a bit. “But being stubborn doesn’t win battles, and it certainly won’t protect you from the dangers on the road.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “So, here are my conditions— He paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking. “First,” he began, his eyes locking with hers, “I’m going to train you. Every day. No shortcuts. I’ll teach you everything I learned from my own journey—the strategies, the training techniques, the survival skills. I’m not letting you go until I’m sure you’re ready.”
Ariel blinked, impressed by his intensity, but also a little wary. She hadn’t exactly been asking for his help, but she knew Kai. When he got like this, there was no point in arguing.
“Fine,” she said, “but what’s next?”
Kai smirked slightly, appreciating her willingness to go along with it. “Second,” he continued, “you’ll need a sponsor. Traveling isn’t cheap, and I don’t want you struggling out there. You’ll have to find someone to back you financially—whether it’s a local business, the village council, or even some traveling merchants. You can’t just rely on prize money.”
Ariel’s smile faded slightly. She hadn’t thought about that. The journey itself required funds—Poké Balls, potions, travel gear, and more. But asking for a sponsor? That was a whole other level of commitment.
“And,” he added, “you’ll have to convince them that you’re worth sponsoring. No freebies.”
Ariel nodded slowly, her mind already racing with ideas. It wasn’t going to be easy, but she had learned to navigate the complexities of life long ago. Whether it was through sheer determination or clever negotiation, she would figure it out.
Kai crossed his arms now, mirroring her posture. “Third,” he said with a glint in his eye, “I’m coming with you for the first week.”
Ariel’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
He chuckled. “You heard me. I’m not just going to send you off without making sure you’re doing alright. I’ll come along and help you get settled on your journey path—show you the ropes when it comes to dealing with real trainers, Pokémon Centers, and all that. Once I’m confident you’re good to go, I’ll head back home.”
Ariel sighed, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It was such a Kai move—hovering over her even after she’d begun her journey. But deep down, she appreciated the gesture. She knew it came from a place of love and concern.
Kai’s eyes softened, and he continued. “Fourth—and this might be the toughest one—you’ve got to take this journey slow. I know most kids your age are eager to jump in and prove yourself, but i’ve seen what happens to trainers who rush. They burn out, get overwhelmed, and most of them never make it past the first couple of gyms. Don’t be like them.”
Ariel smiled faintly, appreciating his concern. “I’ve got no intention of rushing. I’ve already learned that lesson in more ways than one.”
Kai studied her for a moment before nodding. “Alright, and one more thing—this isn’t exactly a condition, but more of a request.” His tone softened, and he looked down at the table for a moment. “Keep in touch. Let me know how you’re doing, where you are, and if you need anything. I don’t want you out there thinking you’re alone.”
Ariel’s heart warmed at his words. Despite all the teasing and protective caution, she knew how much her brother cared for her. “Of course,” she said, her voice gentle. “I’ll always keep in touch.”
“Is that all?” she asked with a playful lilt in her voice.
Kai gave her a long look, his smile fading just a bit. “There’s one more thing.”
Ariel tilted her head, curious.
“If—” he hesitated for a moment before continuing. “If at any point you want to come back, you can. No questions asked. No judgment. I know how determined you are, but this journey is brutal sometimes. If it gets too much, you don’t have to push yourself to the breaking point. You always have a home here.”
His words hung in the air between them, the weight of his concern finally settling in. He wasn’t just giving her conditions—he was trying to protect her from the harsh reality of the world beyond their village. Ariel felt a pang of emotion at his words, but she knew that giving up wasn’t in her nature.
“Kai,” she said softly, “I appreciate everything you’re doing, but I’m not going to give up. Not on this.”
He gave her a long, searching look before nodding. “I know. But promise me you’ll remember what I said.”
Ariel stood, stepping forward and pulling him into a tight hug. “I promise.”
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Kai, caught off guard for a moment, returned the embrace. “Good,” he murmured.
After a few moments, Ariel stepped back, her resolve even stronger now. “So, when do we start training?”
Kai grinned. “Tomorrow morning. Be ready. I’m not going easy on you.”
Ariel chuckled. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
As the evening sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in brilliant shades of pink and gold, Ariel felt the weight of her brother’s conditions settle on her shoulders. They weren’t burdens, though—they were challenges. And if there was one thing Ariel thrived on, it was overcoming challenges.
The next morning came quicker than Ariel expected, the sun barely peeking over the horizon when Kai knocked on her door. She’d hardly slept, excitement buzzing in her veins like an overcharged Pikachu, but she still managed to pull herself out of bed, ready for whatever her brother had planned.
“Ready for your first lesson?” Kai asked, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.
Ariel stretched her arms and nodded. “Bring it on.”
Kai smirked. “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Today’s gonna be a crash course in surviving the road. It’s not all battles and glory—you’re gonna run into all kinds of trainers, some good, some not so much.”
They moved outside to the small training area by the house, the morning air still cool with dew clinging to the grass. Kai had already set up a makeshift campfire, a few logs arranged around it for them to sit.
“First things first,” he said, gesturing for Ariel to sit. “There are a lot of things trainers don’t think about before heading out. Everyone's so focused on their badges and battles that they forget the basics.”
Ariel sat down, her eyes focused on her brother. She knew what was coming would be invaluable, far more than just battling tips. She had grown up in a safe environment where Pokémon were companions, where the hardest decision was what to eat for lunch. But Kai had been out there—on the road, in the thick of it—and she needed to know everything he had to share.
“Trust, but Verify”
“Let’s start with people,” Kai began. “You’re going to meet all kinds out there—trainers, merchants, travelers, gym leaders, and even people who just love Pokémon but aren’t battling. But here’s the thing: not everyone’s gonna be nice, or even trustworthy.”
Ariel raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“There are some trainers who target newbies. They’ll act like they want to help, but they’re just looking to take advantage of your inexperience. They’ll hustle you, trick you into bad bets, or even sabotage your matches. Always be on guard.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “And you need to learn how to read people. Watch how they act, how they speak. Some will come across as too friendly—those are the ones you need to be careful of. If someone seems off, trust your gut.”
Ariel frowned. “Like a sixth sense?”
Kai chuckled. “More like instinct. You’ll get the hang of it after a few encounters. And never, ever give out too much information about yourself, your team, or your plans. It’s one thing to make friends, but don’t be naïve.”
“There’s something else you need to know,” Kai continued, his voice lowering as if he didn’t want anyone overhearing. “Gangs and rogue trainers. They’re not common, but they exist, especially in bigger cities or remote areas.”
Ariel tensed, listening carefully.
“They’re not like the friendly rivals you see on the TV,” Kai said, his expression serious. “Some of them will use dirty tricks to steal from other trainers or to rig matches in their favor. And worse, they’ll go after your Pokémon if they think they’re valuable. That’s why you’ve got to keep your guard up, especially at night.”
Ariel’s mind flashed to the darker episodes she had seen in the Pokémon series—Team Rocket, Team Galactic, even Team Aqua and Magma. But those were just in the shows. The real world wasn’t supposed to have such villains… right?
“Don’t worry too much,” Kai added, noticing the look on her face. “They’re rare, but it’s something you should know. Just be careful who you battle, especially when you’re out in the wild.”
“Speaking of battles,” Kai said, shifting the conversation, “you need to be aware of betting. In some places, trainers will challenge you to a match with money or items on the line.”
Ariel frowned. “Isn’t that kind of risky?”
“It is,” Kai confirmed. “But it’s also a quick way to earn money for trainers without sponsors, if you know what you’re doing. Just be smart about it. Don’t agree to battles you’re not ready for, and definitely don’t let anyone pressure you into betting more than you can afford to lose.”
Kai leaned forward. “And some trainers? They’ll use dirty tricks—poisoning your Pokémon, setting traps in battle, or using moves to stall until you run out of resources. You’ll need to learn how to deal with those kinds of tactics.”
Ariel grimaced. “That’s… pretty low.”
Kai nodded. “It is, but it happens. Especially in unofficial battles, where there aren’t any referees. So always be prepared for the unexpected.”
Kai sat back a little, his expression lightening. “Now, not everything’s doom and gloom. Pokémon Centers are your best friends out there. Nurse Joy will heal your Pokémon if you are a registered Trainer, and the Centers are usually safe places to rest. They’ve got rooms for trainers, basic supplies, and some even have battle courts where you can practice.”
Ariel smiled. She remembered how much she loved visiting Pokémon Centers in the games, knowing her team would always be safe there.
“And the PokéNet,” Kai added, “Unlike how you are using it now, to watch famous battles You’ll use it to find battle opponents, look up routes, or even read up on wild Pokémon in different areas. You can access it from your tablet or at Pokémon Centers. And if you ever get stuck, it’s a great resource. You can even call the rangers through it.”
Kai’s tone became more serious again. “And then there’s Officer Jenny. You’ll meet her—or, rather, versions of her—across towns and cities. The Jennys are the law out there, so if you ever get into trouble, or if you see something suspicious, she’s the one you want to talk to. They take trainer safety seriously, and they’ve got their Pokémon with them to help enforce the rules. Do Not antagonize them, they say that if you make an enemy out of one of them , you make an enemy out of all of them”
Ariel nodded, recalling the countless encounters with Officer Jenny in the anime.
“And don’t forget about the Rangers,” Kai continued. “They’re not as visible as the Jennys, but they patrol the wild areas and help trainers in distress. If you’re deep in the forest and get lost, they’ll be the ones to find you.”
By the time the sun was high in the sky, Ariel had absorbed an overwhelming amount of information. They had gone through the basics of survival—how to pitch a tent, how to handle wild Pokémon encounters, and the importance of keeping her supplies well-stocked.
Kai stood, stretching. “I think that’s enough for today. But remember, Ariel: you’ll learn most of these things by doing. No amount of preparation can replace experience, but at least you won’t go in blind.”
Ariel stood as well, nodding. “Thanks, Kai. This is more than I could’ve asked for.”
Kai smiled, patting her on the shoulder. “You’ll do fine. Just remember—trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And, like I said yesterday, you’re never alone out there. Keep in touch.”
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Ariel watched as Kai walked away, a sense of resolve settling over her. The world beyond their village wasn’t going to be easy—there would be risks, challenges, and dangers she hadn’t even considered. But with Kai’s guidance and the lessons she’d learned today, she felt more prepared than ever.
Tomorrow, the real training would begin.