The beach was quiet as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting warm hues of orange and pink across the sky. Ariel sat on the soft sand, mesmerized by the rhythmic sound of waves lapping against the shore. Beside her, a little Magikarp flopped energetically, its scales shimmering in the fading light. Each leap seemed like an act of defiance against the world, a determination to reach heights that were seemingly impossible for such a humble fish.
“I can’t just keep calling you ‘little friend,’” Ariel mused aloud, giggling as the Magikarp splashed around in a fit of excitement. “What about… hmmm… I don’t know yet!” she chuckled, scratching her head in thought. She had watched countless videos in her previous life, where trainers gave their Pokémon names filled with personality, and she wanted to come up with something just as special for this little fish.
But with each joyful splash, Ariel felt an even stronger bond forming. The Magikarp’s unyielding spirit inspired her, and she found herself captivated by its efforts. “Maybe I should call you… Feesh,” she said, imagining the sound of it. She giggled at the thought, remembering a popular YouTuber who had named their Pokémon in silly ways. “Feesh it is!” she declared, her heart light with laughter.
Just as she was about to continue playing, a sense of unease began to creep in. The sun was setting, and the once vibrant colors were giving way to shadows. She glanced at the sky, her stomach twisting at the sight. “Oh no, I’m going to be in trouble!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in panic. She remembered her promise to her mother—not to stay out after dark.
“Goldy, we have to go home!” she urged, turning to her faithful Golduck, who had been quietly watching over her. Goldy quacked softly in response, seemingly understanding her plight.
As Ariel hurriedly scooped up a few small seashells she had found earlier, she felt a pang of sadness at leaving her new friend behind. “I’ll be back, I promise!” she shouted to the little Magikarp, waving goodbye with all her might.
But before she could leave, a clever idea sparked in her mind. “I’ll distract Mom,” she said to Goldy, who tilted his head curiously. “If I tell her I was helping Feesh, maybe she won’t be too mad!”
She began to explain her plan to Goldy, gesturing dramatically as she spoke. “I’ll tell her that I was trying to teach Magikarp how to jump higher! She’ll think it’s so cool that I was being responsible!”
Just as she was getting into the details of her “genius” plan, a voice rang out behind her. “Oh, really?”
Ariel’s heart dropped as she turned to see her mother standing there, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of worry and frustration. “Ariel! You know you’re not supposed to be out here after dark!” Selene exclaimed, the tone of her voice sharp yet softened by relief at seeing her daughter safe.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Mom, I was just—” Ariel began, but Selene cut her off.
“No ‘buts.’ I was worried sick! You know better than to wander off like this! You’ve lost your going-out privileges for a week!”
Ariel’s shoulders slumped, disappointment washing over her. She opened her mouth to protest but felt the weight of her mother’s words. “But I was helping Magikarp!” she said, her voice wavering. “I named him… um, something cool!”
“Ariel,” Selene said, kneeling to meet her gaze. “I’m glad you’re making friends, but you have to be responsible. Let’s go home.”
With a heavy heart, Ariel turned to say goodbye to the little Magikarp. “Goodbye, Feesh!” she called, trying to hide the quiver in her voice. As she walked away, the joy of the day faded, replaced by a sense of loss.
As they returned home, the comforting scent of dinner wafted through the air, filling Ariel with a mix of hunger and nostalgia. The family was gathered around the table, and her brother, Kai, looked up from his plate, a grin stretching across his face.
“How was your day, Ariel?” he asked, his voice light, though there was a hint of something deeper lurking beneath his cheerful tone. He was relieved she was in good spirits after the earlier trouble.
“It was amazing!” Ariel exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she began to recount her adventures. “I was helping a Magikarp! I even thought about a name, but I don’t know what yet!”
Kai’s gaze fell on the table, and he shrugged. “That’s cool, I guess. But it’s just a Magikarp,” he said, trying to downplay it. Deep down, he felt a mix of admiration for her excitement and concern about how she might feel if she knew the truth about the little fish’s reputation.
“Magikarp can’t grow much larger than three feet,” their father, Aron, chimed in. “But they can evolve into something strong if trained right. It’s all about believing in them.”
Ariel nodded, still buzzing with excitement. “I’ll catch it when I grow older! I want to help him jump higher!” she declared, her determination shining through.
At her confident words, Kai exchanged a worried glance with their parents. They could see that Ariel was oblivious to the challenges that lay ahead, and the thought of her facing disappointment weighed heavily on them.
“Hey, how about we talk about something else?” Selene suggested, trying to redirect Ariel’s attention. “What do you think about helping me with dinner tomorrow? We can make your favorite fish stew!”
Ariel’s eyes brightened. “Can we really? I love that!” She momentarily forgot her plans for the Magikarp as she began to chatter about her favorite dishes, and her family let out a collective sigh of relief.
Throughout dinner, they listened intently to her stories, her brother contributing small bits here and there, though he was still thinking about how to break the news of his journey. He couldn’t bear to see her face fall again, especially not after all the joy she had just found.
As dinner wound down, Ariel’s thoughts drifted back to the beach. “I can’t wait to go back and see him again!” she declared, her spirit rekindled.
Aron chuckled, finishing the last bite of his meal. “Just be sure to let your mother know where you are next time. And maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch that Magikarp soon enough.”