Ariel woke to the gentle lapping of waves against the shore, sunlight streaming through her window like golden ribbons. Today marked another day of freedom—a day to play, explore, and, most importantly, visit her beloved Magicarp.

After quickly dressing in her favorite blue swimsuit, decorated with small water Pokémon, she darted downstairs, her heart racing with excitement. "Mom! Dad! I'm going to the beach!" she called, her voice echoing through the cozy home.

“Be careful, Ariel!” her mother’s voice floated back from the kitchen, where she was preparing breakfast. “And don’t forget to bring Goldy with you!”

Ariel grinned, knowing that Goldy, her ever-watchful Golduck, was already waiting by the door. She flung it open and bolted outside, the salty breeze tousling her hair. The beach was a place of wonder, filled with the sounds of seagulls and the rhythmic crash of waves. As she reached the sandy shore, Ariel’s gaze instantly fell on the shimmering figure of her friend. The Magikarp was there, flopping joyfully in the shallow waters, its scales glistening like jewels under the sun.

“Hi, little buddy!” she called, splashing into the water, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the sea. The Magikarp turned, seeming to recognize her, and jumped playfully as if inviting her to join in its antics.

For the past several months, Ariel had visited the beach daily, forming a bond with the enthusiastic fish. Swimming with it was a new adventure each day. She marveled at how easily she adapted to the water, moving gracefully as though her body remembered the rhythms of swimming from a time long past—something that amazed her mother.

“I didn’t know you could swim so well!” Selene had exclaimed one afternoon, eyes wide with astonishment as Ariel dove effortlessly through the waves. “You’re like a natural!”

Ariel beamed with pride, but she kept the reason for her proficiency a secret. Today, she and Magicarp would swim, dive, and play.

“Let’s race!” Ariel shouted, kicking her legs and propelling herself through the water. Magicarp responded eagerly, leaping alongside her, its small body creating ripples in the water.

After what felt like hours of fun, they finally floated on the surface, catching their breath. “You’re the best swimmer ever!” she laughed, patting Magikarp affectionately. “If you could just learn to fly like a Pelipper, you’d be unstoppable!”

The playful banter became a routine, a comforting rhythm in her life while Kai was away. Her older brother’s journey was a frequent topic of conversation among the villagers, especially during community gatherings to watch his battles on the Pokenet.

When she returned home later that afternoon, Ariel grabbed the old tablet she had discovered. Kai had gotten a new one for his journey, leaving the old one behind. As the saying went, “Finders keepers, losers weepers,” and she couldn’t have been happier about her “find.”

Her fingers danced across the screen as she navigated to the Pokenet. The images of her brother battling in gyms played in vibrant colors, showcasing the fierce determination of trainers and their Pokémon. Each match brought gasps and cheers from the gathered villagers, her parents among them, proudly recounting Kai’s achievements.

“Did you see that move?” her father had exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride. “He’s really becoming a trainer to watch!”

Every battle was a spectacle, but one match stood out in Ariel’s memory. It was against Fantina of Hearthome City, the ghost-type gym leader known for her strategic prowess. As she watched Kai expertly maneuver his Pokémon, a strong Buizel, against Fantina’s Mismagius, Ariel couldn’t help but cheer him on, her small hands clapping together in excitement.

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The Buizel was a lively little creature, its sleek body gleaming with determination. Ariel admired how Kai had nurtured it, creating a bond that transcended mere training. She wanted to be just like him—someone who could make a Pokémon strong and brave.

But as the battles played out, there was always the shadow of that old man in the corner, shaking his head in disapproval. “They don’t understand what it means to be a trainer,” he muttered, his voice barely audible over the cheering crowd. Ariel didn’t know why he felt that way, but her parents simply dismissed him.

“Don’t mind him, Ariel,” her father said one evening, his expression firm. “Some people just can’t see the potential in others.”

Weeks turned into months, and Ariel’s world became a tapestry woven with the joy of swimming and watching Kai’s journey unfold. Each update from him filled her with pride and longing. He called home occasionally, sharing tales of new Pokémon he’d caught and the friends he made along the way.

“I caught a Shinx yesterday!” he exclaimed one time, his voice crackling through the tablet. “And it’s so adorable! I can’t wait for you to meet it!”

“You have to bring it home!” Ariel replied, her excitement bubbling over. “And I want to show you my swimming tricks with Magicarp!”

“I can’t wait! But don’t forget, you need to train too!” he laughed. “Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be a real trainer like me!”

“Yeah, one day!” she echoed, but in her heart, she felt uncertain.

The beach had become her sanctuary, her refuge from the worries that occasionally tugged at her. She had learned not only to swim but also to be at peace with herself. It was a beautiful way to spend her days—playing with Magicarp, watching the sunset over the waves, and dreaming of adventures that lay ahead.

As the days turned into weeks, Ariel discovered new ways to enjoy her time at the beach. She built sandcastles adorned with shells, her imagination running wild as she crafted vast kingdoms by the shore. Sometimes, she would sit quietly, watching the waves roll in, her thoughts drifting like the clouds overhead.

“I wish I could catch you one day,” she said to Magicarp during one of their quiet moments together. “But for now, I just want to help you reach your goals!”

Magikarp flopped happily, splashing water in response, and Ariel giggled, splashing back. She loved those moments—just her and her friend, sharing a world of dreams and laughter.

Evenings were often spent in the warm glow of the kitchen, where her parents recounted stories of Kai’s latest exploits. “He battled a tough trainer today!” her father would say, his voice animated. “And that Buizel of his pulled off an incredible Water Gun move!”

“Just wait until he comes back!” Selene added, her smile wide. “He’ll have so many stories to tell!”

Each time she heard her parents speak, Ariel felt a mix of pride and longing. She wanted to be part of that world—she wanted to train a Pokémon of her own. But for now, she had Magikarp, and that was enough.

Despite the joy that filled her days, there were moments of solitude. On particularly quiet afternoons, she would sit by the water’s edge, feeling a sense of yearning wash over her. “I hope you’re okay, Kai,” she would whisper to the wind, watching the horizon. “I hope you’re catching lots of Pokémon.”

Those thoughts lingered in her mind as she played with Magikarp, but the creature’s cheerful splashes would always bring her back to the present, reminding her of the joy in simple moments.

As the seasons changed, Ariel noticed subtle differences in the beach. The waves seemed a bit louder, the sand warmer under her feet. She found herself drawn to the water more than ever, spending hours swimming with Magikarp, who seemed to grow more playful with each visit.

“Maybe you’ll evolve one day,” she mused, her voice filled with hope. “Imagine how strong you’d be! You could become a Gyarados and—”

Suddenly, a wave splashed her, interrupting her thoughts, and she burst into laughter. “Okay, okay! No need to get all excited!” she giggled, brushing the water from her face.

With each passing day, Ariel felt her bond with Magicarp deepening. It wasn’t just a game anymore; it was a friendship filled with understanding and joy. She even started inventing little games to play together, like races and diving competitions, each one a new adventure that brought her closer to her aquatic friend.

AND AS SHE LOOKED OUT AT THE HORIZON, SHE COULDN’T HELP BUT DREAM. ONE DAY, SHE THOUGHT, I WILL CATCH YOU. ONE DAY, WE’LL BE UNSTOPPABLE.