Months had passed since Ariel's rebirth into this unfamiliar yet oddly familiar world. Days bled into nights as she slowly gained more control over her body. The bright, overwhelming light she had first struggled with softened into a warm glow that filled her days with discovery. Sounds and sensations grew sharper, more defined, as her infant body matured. Each day brought new revelations—about herself, her family, and the world she found herself in.
She was growing accustomed to the life of a baby, but it wasn’t without its difficulties. Her mind, sharp and filled with memories of her past life, often clashed with the limitations of her new, tiny body. Simple tasks, like rolling over or sitting up, took enormous effort. And though she believed herself to be a "good child," there were moments when her baby instincts took over—crying when startled, succumbing to naps despite her mental protests, and being easily distracted by the simplest things, like the swaying of a curtain or the reflection of light off her mother's earrings.
It was during one such distracted moment that Ariel noticed her mother again, Selene, moving around the room with the grace of someone who had spent her life navigating the unpredictable sea. Selene's strong, tanned arms carried a basket of clothes to the side as she called out to Ariel's father, Aron.
"Aron, are you listening? We need to head to the market soon. The weather’s changing, and I don’t want to be caught out there with a storm coming," Selene’s voice was firm, but her tone held a gentleness reserved for family.
Ariel’s father, Aron, was seated at the table, engrossed in some research papers scattered across the surface. His messy, dark hair fell over his pale face as he mumbled something about water salinity and Pokémon habitats. His glasses, forever slipping down his nose, were pushed up absently as he reached for another stack of papers.
“I heard you, I heard you," he replied absentmindedly, his focus clearly elsewhere.
Selene rolled her eyes, though there was affection in her exasperation. "I’ll take care of it. You stay here with the little one and try not to get too lost in your work. Remember to feed her if she starts fussing.”
Aron nodded, though Ariel had a feeling he’d forget the moment his mind wandered back to his research. Her mother had already headed out, leaving Aron to juggle his research and fatherhood. Ariel didn’t mind. It gave her more time to observe, to learn.
Their home was a simple one, befitting a small fishing village. The wooden walls were worn from years of sea salt and weather, but they held an undeniable warmth. Her crib was placed near a window that overlooked the docks, and she could often hear the soft call of Wingull and the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore. The scent of the sea, briny and fresh, filled the air, mingling with the smell of saltwater fish drying somewhere nearby.
One of the most exciting discoveries Ariel had made recently was her brother, Kai. At seven years old, Kai was already showing the makings of an adventurous spirit. He often ran in and out of the house, windblown hair and tanned skin a testament to the countless hours he spent outside. Ariel had taken to watching him whenever he was home, fascinated by his boundless energy and the effortless way he interacted with the family Pokémon.
Today, Kai burst through the door, tracking sand behind him, as usual. His eyes, the same ocean-blue as their mother’s, sparkled with excitement.
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“Dad! You’ve gotta come see! Golduck found something in the tidepools! You won’t believe it!”
Ariel’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Golduck, the Pokémon that had been a central figure in her early realizations. Golduck, with its sleek blue body and sharp, calculating eyes, was one of her father’s key companions. It was a Pokémon of immense intelligence, often assisting Aron in his marine research.
Aron blinked, the name ‘Golduck’ seemingly breaking through the fog of his academic trance. “Found something, you say?”
Kai nodded eagerly. “Come on! Hurry!”
Aron shot a quick glance at Ariel, as if only now remembering she was in the room adn how she would always cry when she was alone in a confined space. “Uh, right. I’ll just—”
“Go ahead,” came a deep, rumbling voice from the doorway. Ariel’s heart warmed at the sight of her grandfather, Jonah Rivers. Grizzled and weathered by years on the sea, Captain Jonah was a force of nature. His piercing blue eyes, so much like her mother’s and brother’s, held a lifetime of stories. Ariel adored him, even if she couldn't communicate it yet. He was always gentle when holding her, his hearty laugh resonating through the house.
“I’ll keep an eye on the little one,” Jonah said, walking over to the crib. He leaned down, his beard tickling Ariel’s cheek as he chuckled softly. “How’s my little wave rider today, eh?”
Ariel gurgled in response, trying to grasp at the beard that seemed to fascinate her more with each passing day. Jonah smiled, pulling a small carved figure of a Lapras from his coat pocket. The smooth, well-worn wood was cool to her tiny fingers as he placed it gently in her hand.
“There you go, lass. A little reminder of the seas your granddad’s sailed.”
Aron hesitated for a moment longer, clearly torn between his work, his son’s excitement, and his duties as a father. But the call of research, coupled with Kai’s pleading, won out. He hurried after Kai, calling for Golduck as they left the house.
Ariel relaxed into the crib, her senses filled with the comforting presence of her grandfather. Jonah, always full of stories, began another one of his tales, this time about a fierce battle he had once fought alongside his Lapras and Gorebyss, deep in the seas of the Hoenn region. Though she didn’t understand every word, the rhythm of his voice lulled her into a peaceful calm.
As the weeks passed, Ariel found herself slowly piecing together the world she now inhabited. She learned that she was in the Sinnoh region, but not the version she remembered from the games or anime. Subtle differences hinted at this world being a unique blend of what she knew and what was real. It was during one quiet evening that she overheard her parents discussing a televised battle between a younger Bertha, still an Elite Four and a Challenger. Bertha Looked to be about 30 years old, much younger that what she remembered. The realization hit her hard—this was Sinnoh, yes, but a time long before Cynthia's rise to Champion.
It was an earlier timeline, and she was living in it.
Her heart raced with the possibilities. Could she change things? Influence the future? Or was she destined to follow the timeline as it unfolded?
Yet, even in her excitement, she knew one thing for certain—she wouldn't rush it. She would take her time, savoring every moment. Her new life offered endless opportunities, and she was determined to enjoy the journey, rather than sprint toward the destination.
Ariel’s days were filled with discoveries. She learned more about the Pokémon that lived with them—her mother’s Pelipper, a proud and loyal companion that assisted in fishing trips, and Sharpedo, who guarded their boats with a fearsome gaze. At night, Lanturn’s soft glow illuminated the shores, guiding her mother and the other villagers back to safety.
Her father's Pokémon were equally fascinating. Golduck, with its analytical mind, was always by Aron’s side, aiding him in research. Mantine helped him traverse the seas, its smooth, gliding movements mesmerizing to watch. Octillery was a more elusive presence, often submerged in a nearby tank, but Ariel could sense its quiet strength.
Though she was confined to the house for now, unable to explore the village beyond, Ariel had her interactions with the villagers who came by. They would coo and make funny faces at her, something that might have annoyed her in her previous life. But now, as a baby, she found it strangely amusing. Their exaggerated expressions and sing-song voices filled the house with warmth.