Ariel stirred in her bed, blinking sleep from her eyes as the morning light spilled into the room. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned, a soft, contented sound escaping her lips. But as she rubbed her eyes, something felt… off. The air was different. Where was Kai?

“Mommy?” she called, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Selene, her mother, peeked into the room, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Good morning, sweetie! How did you sleep?”

“Where’s Kai?” Ariel asked, sitting up and scanning the room. The absence of her brother’s cheerful laughter filled her with an uneasy feeling.

Selene's smile faltered, a look of sympathy washing over her face. “He left early this morning, honey. He wanted to start his journey before you woke up.”

Ariel's heart sank. “He didn’t say goodbye?” Tears pricked at her eyes as she processed the news.

“I’m sorry, Ariel,” Selene said softly, stepping into the room and crouching beside the crib. “He didn’t want you to be sad. He’s starting his adventure as a Pokémon trainer.”

“But… but I wanted to say goodbye!” Ariel’s voice trembled as the tears spilled down her cheeks. “I wanted to tell him to be careful!”

Selene wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her close. “I know, sweetheart. It’s okay to feel sad. But he’ll be back, and he’ll have so many stories to tell.”

Aron, her father, entered the room, concern etched across his face. “What’s this? Is my little girl crying?”

“Daddy, Kai left without saying goodbye!” Ariel wailed, burying her face in her mother’s shoulder.

Aron knelt beside them, gently stroking Ariel’s hair. “Hey now, it’s alright. Your brother loves you very much. He’ll be thinking of you on his journey.”

Ariel sniffled, the warmth of her parents’ embrace soothing her a little, but the ache of missing Kai remained.

5 Months Timeskip

The sun hung high in the sky as Ariel played in the yard, surrounded by her parents’ Pokémon. The vibrant sounds of the village filled the air, and the rhythmic splashes of water echoed from the nearby river. Though she missed her brother terribly, she had found comfort in her family and the Pokémon that surrounded her.

“Time for another update from Kai!” Selene called, her voice bright with excitement as she gathered the villagers for the latest Pokémon battle broadcasted on Pokenet.

Ariel’s heart raced at the thought of seeing her brother again, even if it was through a screen. The villagers gathered around their home, chatting animatedly as they settled down to watch the match.

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As the broadcast began, the familiar face of Kai appeared on the screen, looking a little older and more confident. He stood in front of the Hearthome Gym, a place known for its challenging battles and the captivating Gym Leader, Aurélie . His hair tousled by the wind, a determined glint in his blue eyes shone bright. Ariel thought that she looked similar to Fantina.

“Welcome back to the Hearthome Gym Challenge!” the announcer’s voice boomed. “Today, we have Kai Rivers, the up-and-coming trainer, challenging Gym Leader Aurélie!”

“Go, Buizel!” Kai shouted as his first Pokémon took the field. The sleek orange and cream Water-type leaped forward, its fins shimmering in the bright lights of the arena.

“Look at that!” Selene exclaimed, beaming with pride. “He’s grown so much since he left!”

Aron nodded, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “He’s really doing it. I can’t believe our boy is actually battling in a gym.”

The match unfolded on the screen, with Buizel dodging and darting across the battlefield. Aurélie, with her vibrant purple hair and enchanting demeanor, commanded her Pokémon with authority. “Use Psybeam, Mismagius!” she ordered, and a dazzling beam of energy shot toward Buizel.

“Buizel, use Aqua Jet to dodge!” Kai countered, his voice steady and focused.

As the battle progressed, Ariel watched with wide eyes, her heart pounding with every move. Buizel was fast and agile, showcasing the bond he shared with Kai.

“Go for a Water Gun, Buizel!” Kai shouted, and the Water-type unleashed a powerful stream of water, dousing Mismagius and momentarily gaining the upper hand.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the battle continued, and Ariel couldn’t help but join in, clapping her hands and shouting, “Go, Kai!”

As the match neared its climax, Kai summoned another Pokémon from his team: a sturdy Staravia, its wings beating confidently as it took flight. “Let’s finish this with Aerial Ace!” he commanded, and the Flying-type dove down with incredible speed, striking Mismagius with precision.

With a victorious cry, Kai raised his arms in triumph as the screen flashed “Victory!”

“Wow! Did you see that?” one villager exclaimed. “He really is strong!”

“Four Pokémon and he’s already challenging gyms!” another chimed in.

Amidst the cheers, one old man stood at the back of the crowd, arms crossed and a stern look on his face. Whenever he watched Kai’s battles, he simply shook his head, mumbling something to himself.

Ariel noticed his reaction and furrowed her brow, wondering why he seemed unimpressed.

Selene, catching Ariel’s curious glance, leaned down. “Some people don’t see the potential in younger trainers. But Kai is proving them wrong, isn’t he?”

Ariel nodded, feeling a surge of pride for her brother.

After the broadcast ended, the villagers lingered, discussing the match and Kai’s progress.

“He’s caught a few more Pokémon since he left,” Selene explained to the crowd. “He’s not specializing in one type, which is really smart!”

“What other Pokémon does he have?” a villager asked.

Selene smiled, her excitement palpable. “He caught a Shinx, a Kricketune, and he even added a Bidoof to his team! Some have evolved since he left, and he’s been training hard.”

Ariel’s mind whirred with the possibilities. “I want to see them all!”

“Maybe one day you will,” Aron said, ruffling her hair. “When you’re older, you can catch Pokémon too.”

As the evening wore on, Ariel felt a warmth in her heart. Though she missed Kai dearly, his journey was inspiring. She could almost imagine the stories he would tell when he returned, each tale filled with adventure and excitement.

“Let’s get some dinner ready,” Selene said, clapping her hands together. “I’m sure Kai will have more updates soon, and we’ll need our strength to cheer him on!”

The family moved inside, the laughter and chatter of the villagers fading into the background. Ariel helped her mother set the table, all the while dreaming of her brother’s next battle and the day she could join him on his adventures.