The sun was shining brightly over the village of Rivertide, casting playful shadows on the cobblestone streets as Ariel, now four years old, padded around with a sense of newfound independence. She felt like a little explorer, navigating the world that had become familiar yet remained full of surprises. Today was particularly exciting—Kai was preparing to set off on his Pokémon journey, and she was filled with a mix of pride and jealousy.

“Please, Kai! Take me with you!” Ariel begged, her voice rising in pitch as she tugged at her brother’s sleeve. Her dark hair bounced around her shoulders as she looked up at him with big, pleading eyes.

Kai was busy packing his bag, his expression focused and determined. “I can’t, Ariel. You know that!” he replied, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone. “You’re too little, and you need to stay here with Mom and Dad. It’s not safe for you out there!”

“But I want to see all the Pokémon! I can help!” she insisted, her emotions bubbling over as she stomped her foot on the ground. She was aware of the arguments—she knew the reasons—but the thought of being left behind felt like a heavy weight on her chest.

“I know you want to, but it’s just not possible,” he said gently, kneeling to her level. “You’ll have your own journey someday. I promise.”

Ariel’s pout deepened, her bottom lip trembling as she fought against the impending tears. “You’re a meanie!” she exclaimed, crossing her arms defiantly. “I hate you!”

Kai sighed, a mixture of sympathy and exasperation on his face. “Ariel, I’ll bring you back something special, okay? Just wait for me to come home.”

“Fine!” she huffed, turning away and stomping out of the house. She felt the urge to cry but knew she had to be strong. She was a big girl now! She could walk around the village now, and that fact filled her with pride. Not many children her age had that privilege, which gave her a sense of accomplishment.

As she wandered through the village, the sounds of life surrounded her—vendors calling out their wares, the chatter of neighbors, and the laughter of children at play. She felt free, and with Golduck, affectionately nicknamed Goldy, keeping a watchful eye over her, she felt invincible.

“Let’s go see what everyone is doing, Goldy!” she declared, her spirits lifting as she skipped ahead, her small feet pattering against the cobblestones.

Ariel made her way to the market square, where she saw older kids playing a game of tag, their laughter ringing out like music. She joined in, surprising herself with how fast she could run. It felt exhilarating to chase after the older children, even if they often left her in the dust.

As she played, she passed various shops, each bustling with activity. The bakery wafted delicious scents of fresh bread and pastries, while the potion shop was filled with curious Pokémon peeking out from their containers. She spotted a Snubbull guarding a basket of berries, its small body puffed up in an attempt to look fierce, and she giggled at its antics.

The village was more complex than she had ever imagined, far beyond what the games had shown her. In her mind, she had always pictured each town in the Sinnoh region as having only a few houses and perhaps a gym, but Rivertide was alive with activity—shops, homes, and Pokémon, each playing an integral role in the community.

“Wow, this is amazing!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sights and sounds. “It’s so much bigger than I thought!”

Goldy quacked in agreement, his blue skin shimmering under the sun as he waddled beside her, ever vigilant. They made their way to the waterfront, where the gentle waves lapped against the shore. Ariel paused, gazing out at the ocean, her thoughts drifting to Kai and his journey.

“Maybe I’ll sneak along next time,” she mused to herself, a mischievous smile creeping across her face. “They’ll never see me!”

But as she continued to sulk by the beach, her brother’s words echoed in her mind. “You’re too little.” Frustration bubbled within her once more, and she sat down on the sandy shore, feeling a sense of loneliness creep in. Goldy settled beside her, offering comfort with his presence.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

While she stared at the waves, her attention was drawn to a rhythmic thumping sound coming from the water’s edge. It was a curious sound, different from the usual crashing of waves. Ariel tilted her head, intrigued. What could it be?

Goldy perked up, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the sound. With a sense of adventure stirring within her, Ariel stood up, brushed the sand off her shorts, and walked toward the source of the noise. She was determined to find out what it was.

As she got closer, she could see something splashing in the shallow water, jumping repeatedly with all its might. Her heart raced with excitement as she drew near, and what she saw took her breath away.

A small Magikarp was leaping out of the water, flopping and splashing as it attempted to reach the sky, only to fall back down again, creating tiny sprays of water around it. To Ariel, it was a magical sight. The little fish was putting in so much effort, and there was something beautiful about its persistence, even if it seemed futile to the world around it.

“Look at you!” Ariel exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. “You’re so amazing!”

To others, a Magikarp might be just a useless fish flopping around, but to Ariel, it was a symbol of hope and determination. She loved how it kept trying, undeterred by its failures. “I want to help you!” she thought, excitement bubbling within her.

With a determined smile, she crouched down at the water’s edge, watching intently as the Magikarp jumped again, splashing water onto her cheeks. It seemed almost to be reaching for the sun, longing for something beyond its grasp.

“Maybe I can Help you!” Ariel said aloud, giggling as she wiggled her fingers playfully at the Magikarp. “But how?”

Her heart raced with the idea of helping this little Pokémon. She knew that Kai would be able to catch a Pokémon with ease, and maybe, just maybe, she could do the same. She scanned the area around her for something she could use.

“Goldy!” she called, and the Golduck waddled closer, tilting its head in curiosity. “Can you help me?”

Goldy quacked softly, seeming to understand her intent. Ariel felt a surge of excitement at the idea that she wasn’t alone in this endeavor. “Together, we can do this!” she said, her eyes sparkling with determination.

With Goldy by her side, she tried to think like a Pokémon trainer. The Magikarp continued its relentless jumping, and each time it fell back, it sent ripples across the water. Ariel couldn’t help but laugh at its persistence.

“Maybe it’s trying to show me something!” she thought, her mind racing with ideas. “What if it wants to jump higher? What if it’s trying to reach something in the sky?”

She glanced up at the seagulls soaring above, and an idea struck her. “I’ll make a splash too!” Ariel decided.

Gathering her courage, she moved back a few steps and then ran toward the water, splashing in with both feet. The cold water enveloped her, sending a jolt of exhilaration through her. She jumped up, flinging her arms out wide as if she were trying to mimic the Magikarp.

“Look at me, I can jump too!” she shouted, her laughter ringing out. Goldy quacked with delight, splashing alongside her, adding to the joyful chaos.

Ariel’s heart raced as she focused on the Magikarp. She could see its determination mirrored in her own excitement. “Come on, little friend! You can do it!” she cheered, her voice carrying over the sound of the waves.

As if sensing her encouragement, the Magikarp seemed to leap higher, splashing even more vigorously. Ariel could hardly contain her excitement. This was a moment unlike any other, filled with the pure magic of connection and support. She felt a sense of camaraderie with the little fish, understanding its struggle in a way she had never anticipated.

Eventually, the Magikarp flopped back into the water, momentarily resting, but Ariel wasn’t finished yet. “Let’s go again!” she urged, splashing around in the shallows, trying to entice it. She wanted to show it that it wasn’t alone—that it had someone cheering for it.

The sun shone down on them, casting a golden hue over the scene as Ariel played and splashed in the waves. For the first time since learning of Kai’s departure, she felt the weight of her emotions lift. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t go with him; she had a goal of her own now.

“I’m going to help you,” she whispered to the Magikarp, feeling a strong sense of purpose. “Together, we’ll make it!”

With renewed energy, Ariel picked up a small seashell and held it out to the Magikarp, as if offering a gift. “Here! This can be your prize for jumping high! You can do it!”

Goldy quacked encouragingly, as if cheering the Magikarp on as well. The little fish splashed once more, its movements more animated as it flopped toward Ariel’s offering.

For Ariel, this was the start of a new chapter. Though she was feeling the sting of her brother’s departure, she found joy in the unexpected friendship blooming before her. She realized that the world was vast and full of complexities—much more than she had imagined in the games. Here, Pokémon had lives, dreams, and struggles of their own, just as she did.

In that moment, Ariel made a silent promise to herself and the Magikarp: she would help it reach for the sky, and together they would leap into whatever adventures awaited them.