Let's get started with what might either be a long or short chapter of the first episode of Pokemon Johto league Journeys.

Chapter 2: Arrival in Johto the missing Totodile

'For Poke speech

" For Human speech

Somewhere in a forest on the outskirts between Kanto and Johto.

"Hey, Brock, are we getting any closer to Johto yet?" Misty complains. The group was looking around as there was a dense fog. Unfortunately, it seems like that it's not going to die down anytime soon.

"According to the map, the first city of Johto is nearby," Brock says while looking at the map. "But the fog isn't making it any better, and I can't make heads or tails with the directions that we are getting."

"You said that hours ago, Brock. Come on, give me the map, and maybe we can figure out a way out of here," Ash says while trying to defuse the situation between Misty and Brock and trying to find a way out of there.

"And getting lost more, no thank you, Ash," Misty retorts at Ash. It was making him have a sweet drop.

They heard some noises nearby that sounds like the whistling of the winds. Ash and the group followed the sounds and arrived at a small pond with a tiny dog-like Pokemon, causing the fog in the area.

"That's a strange Pokemon. I've never seen it before." Ash says. The said Pokemon looked at the group intentionally. "Maybe it knows the way out of the forest and to the next town?" Ash said to Misty and Brock.

Making the Pokemon run off differently from the group as they followed it and nearly to a cliff, stopping themselves. Was that an illusion, or was that an actual Pokemon? However, it did get the group out of the forest and in the first city of Johto, New Bark Town.

"Well, I don't know where that Pokemon went, but we're finally at the first stop of our journey," Brock says, as the group sees the Town much bigger than they imagined. "Bigger than I'd thought it would be, the lab should be somewhere in the town, " Brock says as he was looking into the guidebook.

Ash was thinking about how excited his team was when he told them where they were, especially Pidgeot and Charizard.

Earlier that day, before the gang, left the Kanto region.

"Well, guys, Pidgeot is now on our team again. We're are now heading to the 3rd region of our journey Johto." Ash explains to his team, excited about Pidgeot returning and a new journey.

'Welcome back to the team Pidgeot,' Charizard says to Pidgeot, showing that he is happy that Pidgeot is back on the team.

"Wow, Charizard finally not sleeping around, Ash, huh? So what did you do to the Charizard that I knew?' Pidgeot said teasingly to Charizard. Who chuckled at this.

'That part of me is gone, and now I'm ready to fight in a league tournament again.' Charizard said pridefully.

'You know that you caused Ash's first league to end in a loss, right Charizard,' Pikachu says, crossing his arms to shut Charizard up.

Charizard sighs. 'I'm willing to change things now. I owe Ash my life after he saved it that day. I regret all the things I've done when I first evolved.'

'You'll get your chance Charizard same with me,' Pidgeot says to Charizard, who nodded in agreement.

Ash noticed how much the team was willing to compete with each other and noticed that Charizard had a lot of regret and guilt on his face.

End flashback

"I can't wait to start my adventure now!" Ash says excitedly, and it shows on Ash's face and determination. "This time, I will win this league. Hopefully, Team Rocket will stay out of the league this time." Ash says while looking down, remembering that.

"That won't be a problem anymore, Ash. After what had happened to you that day, security for league battles is now back up, so an incident like that won't happen." Brock says to Ash.

"Seriously, those three made you late to your league battle while yes Charizard did also cost you the match, but those three were also part of your loss," Misty says, trying to be nice.

"Thanks, Misty, but let's head into town right now," Ash says back to Misty. So the group leaves and heads into the Town. Only to find out that Nurse Joy, who usually is the one who registers trainers for leagues, isn't in the Pokemon Center as there was a video.

"If you're looking for me, I'm off to Professor Elm's lab to check on his starters to make sure that they're ready for their trainers. I'll be back at one o clock." The video finishes explaining.

Misty noticed the clock, showing that it's already 1 pm. "Say the voice message says she would be back at one, didn't it," Misty says to which the group noticed at the clock as well.

"Now that you mention it, yeah, it is weird we just arrived in town shortly before one, if I recall correctly?" Ash says in concern. "Something must have happened on the way there or at the lab, and we might as well go there." Ash finished speaking while getting up.

"I mean, we were going to visit the lab anyway after we got you registered, Ash," Brock agreeing with Ash. "Maybe she's in danger, or something went wrong."

"We might as well head there anyway and not think the worse," Ash says to which Misty nods in agreement, as well as Brock as the team, leaves for the lab in the middle of Town.

As we turn to the lab

Ash and the gang arrived at the lab to hear shouting and yelling, and they ran to where it was coming from. Only to see both Nurse Joy and a young male with a lab coat. That young man has to be the Professor of the region.

Nurse Joy was grilling Professor Elm. "I can't believe that you let Totodile be taken and mistaken someone for me. How can you be short-sited, Professor?"

"I know, I know I'm sorry that happened, Nurse Joy, but I was so deep into what I was researching about the starters and how unique they are," Professor Elm says, only to be interrupted by Joy again.

"Oh, I should tell Totodile's soon-to-be trainer that you were careless because of your studies. That's irresponsible even for Professor standards," Nurse Joy says rudely, only to notice Ash and the gang.

"Oh, hello there. I have taken that you were waiting for Nurse Joy for the league registration," Professor Elm says, trying to avoid the yelling of Nurse Joy.

"We did, but maybe we can help with what is going on?" Ash suggested that both the Professor and Nurse Joy be relieved upon hearing that.

"Thank you for that. The Pokemon's new trainer would be worried when it went missing right under my nose," the Professor explains with his gratitude.

"You're still on the hook Professor Elm for this no matter who took it," Nurse Joy criticized him.

"Hey, that's no need for that. Please explain what Pokemon was taken from the lab?" Misty asked, showing concern for both the Professor and the said Pokemon as both Ash and the gang introduced themselves to the Professor and Nurse Joy.

"Well, it's one of the three Starters we give to up-coming trainers," Professor Elm explains as he pulled out a photo and let out a Pokemon. "First here is the fire type Cyndaquil," as it greeted the group and let the flames out of its back cutely. "As you can see, that is one of the things that it's known for, but it's a sweetheart," the Professor explains as he held the Pokemon up until it stops.

Once it did, Professor Elm put Cyndaquil down on the table next to him and pulled out a photo of a Pokemon that had a leaf on its head. "This is Chikorita, the grass starter of the region, which was just given to a new female trainer," Ash and the others looked at it.

"Aw, so cute it must be delightful" Misty was gushing over it like usual, to which the Professor chuckled and nodded at this.

"You got it as he's more competitive but very friendly, and the other starters do have a good relationship with him," the Professor says. He puts the photo back in his pocket and pulls out another picture of a Crocodile-like pokemon that's a blue and reddish color. "And this is the Pokemon that was taken the water starter Totodile. He is a more energetic and happy Pokemon," Professor Elm explains.

"Ah, he looks like a kind-hearted Pokemon. What type of trainer was he going to give to Professor?" Brock asked to which the Professor sighs at this.

"Technically, she's not a Trainer. She wanted him as a pet," Professor Elm explains to the group about what type of girl was asking for Totodile, "Her name is Emily, and her family is pretty rich and known around town."

'I met her. She's not the type of person I want to be with,' Cyndaquil explains to Pikachu. 'You think all that money she would be more a trainer not of pets.'

To which Pikachu nods, 'Yeah, I know that most Pokemon were given either as pets or trained Pokemon, but it seems like Totodile might have dodged a bullet."

"You think that Totodile is okay with being a pet? I mean? Just from the way the tone of both Pikachu and Cyndaquil was talking to each other, it seems like they don't like her?" Ash says to the Professor, who nods in agreement.

"I try to explain that, but she's as stubborn as a Tauros, asking for a Totodile of all Pokemon," Nurse Joy says to the group. "I do feel like she doesn't care about what the Pokemon wants. So many of them want to be a human-trained Pokemon."

"Maybe the Professor can talk to her after we save Totodile. I mean, she might want to see Totodile's expression of what he wants," Ash says. "After all, it's not every day that you see Pokemon refuse to be with a certain human or trainer."

The Professor nods in agreement as well as Nurse Joy says, "Judging by the way he was acting towards being a Pokemon for him, I'd say a different trainer would be logical,"

Ash takes out his Pokeball and lets Pidgeot out. Brock realize what Ash had planned and did the same with Zubat. "Alright, you two, Team Rocket has stolen a starter from the lab, and we need to get him back right now. You two think that you can go find them and report back to us," Ash commands the two of them.

Pidgeot sighs. 'Not those three losers again. Why can't they leave us alone,' Zubat nods. 'You think as many times that they failed their missions, they'd get fired by this point.' Pidgeot nods in agreement at this.

"You two can talk later. Please move before they capture it and get away," Brock says. The two Pokemon nodded and flew off to find Team Rocket.

Meanwhile, as the Totodile was bitting Jessie out of hatred and spite for taking him from the lab. "Get this thing off my hair," Jessie screamed, which caught the attention of both Zubat and Pidgeot. As the two flying types noticed, a Blue and Red-colored Pokemon was chomping down hard on Jessie's hair and flew off to inform Ash and the gang where they were.

'Man, can she be any louder? My ears are sensitive and part of my eyes, you know,' Zubat says

Pidgeot nods in agreement. 'You think by successfully taking a pokemon, they'd be quieter than that. They got what they deserve there,' they arrived where Ash and the gang were at.

Pidgeot and Crobat returned to Ash and the gang to let them know that they spotted Team Rocket. "Well, take us there, and we'll follow," Ash says as the two Flying-types nodded and showed them where the villainous team is at.

Jessie's screaming was giving their location and is louder the more the gang was getting closer to them. Jessie finally sends the water starter Totodile flying with a chunk of her hair. Totodile was laughing at the sight of this, 'Now that's a look for you serves you right for taking me not to mention your ugliness amongst the three of you,' Totodile says with a snicker. After spitting Jessie's hair out of his jaw, 'Blah disgusting.'

"Hey, who are you calling ugly and disgusting" Jessie hissed at him after Meowth translated everything Totodile had says.

As Totodile laughed and pointed his claw at Jessie, James, and Meowth, 'Did I say just you no all three of you, you're not worthy of me nor are you worth my breath,' this was ticking off Team Rocket more and more.

Before Team Rocket was about to shut this Totodile up, Ash and the others arrived just in time. "Totodile, are you okay?" Ash asked the water starter, who nodded and smiled, seeing someone was getting him away from these losers.

'Take him, Twerp. He's not worth the headache, and we don't need more hair loss,' Meowth says to the group as the group noticed Jessie's hair and was busting out laughing at her.

'That's a nice look for you, Jessie. Who's the dumb one now?' Pidgeot says after remembering her calling Pidgeot dumb almost a year ago.

"Seriously, even the twerp's Pokemon is making fun of me." Jessie was getting even madder than losing her hair.

"Let's move now before the police come. We're not here to deal with twerps. Remember Jessie boss's orders remember," James says as that calms Jessie down.

Ash, who heard that? "What do you mean you're not here for us? What are you planning?"Ash asked to which the trio laughed at this. To which Ash was even more worried than ever, "What's so funny?"

'Let's says we're after Pokemon here in Johto, and if you think that Kanto is our only base of operations, your barking up the wrong tree that's all I'm going to say to you twerps,' Meowth explains.

"Pikachu isn't worth our time this time. We might try to steal him at times, but he's not worth as much as that pathetic water starter there better watch your back's Twerp," James says as he sends out Weezing and creating a Smokescreen as they got away just as Officer Jenny and the police of New Bark Town arrived. Leaving Ash and the other's speechless, especially Totodile.

'Well, they aren't as stupid as I thought if they weren't that interested in me, after all, that,' Totodile says Ash was picking him up, to which Totodile was feeling comfortable around him. For some reason, Totodile was more trusting of Ash than his soon-to-be trainer did when he met her in the phone call.

Meanwhile, at Professor Elm's lab, Ash handed Totodile to Nurse Joy, "Here you go. It seems like Team Rocket was interested in him at first until he chewed off one of the member's hair off," though Ash was more curious about what Meowth has said as well as James.

"Still thinking about what Team Rocket is planning, huh, Ash?" Misty says to which Ash nodded to her. "I understand, but we don't have to worry about them for now, especially since we got a journey through this region and league to take part in badge wise," Misty says, re-assuring Ash.

Ash smiled at this. "Thanks, Misty. Also, I hope that Totodile can be with a better trainer," Ash says, looking at Totodile, who was nodding in agreement.

"That's what the Professor is doing now, and I think that Totodile might want to join you, Ash, given that he seems happier with you than he was when he saw her," Nurse Joy says, who pets Totodile's head who wags his tail and nods in agreement after hearing this. "Seem's like he agrees with me there, Ash."

As the group heard the Professor say, "Really, you sure? That's great. I'll let Totodile know about this thank you for understanding," the Professor hangs up and walks over to Ash and the others.

"Well, what did they say? Did they agree to let Totodile go with someone else?" Ash asked, curious about the client's and Professor's conversation since it took a while for that call to end.

The Professor nods. "Yep, they agreed that if he doesn't want to be a pet, then he can be with a trainer that he wants, not what they want," Professor Elm explained, as Ash and the others sighed of relief as well as Totodile. "I also overheard what Nurse Joy said that also was the reason why they agreed to let him go with someone else, and I agree Ash he's more trusting towards you while he is mischievous from what you saw earlier he shouldn't be a problem for your team?" Professor Elm says as Totodile nods in agreement with him.

"Also, I'll register you so you can take part in the Johto league gyms, then Totodile can join your team, Ash," Nurse Joy explains, which Ash handed his Pokedex to Nurse Joy. Who taken it and registered Ash to the system, which recognized Ash as an official trainer to participate and handed his now updated Pokedex back to Ash, "There you go, Ash, you're currently registered in the Johto league now," Nurse Joy says.

"Here's Totodile's Pokeball Ash. It is tethered made only for him for any trainer that chooses him," the Professor says to which Ash happily takes from the Professor's hands.

"Welcome to the team, Totodile. If it's not up to your standards, let me know, and I'll try my hardest to either help or return you without any questions ask," Ash says to Totodile, who nods in understanding but also shook his head at that last statement. Which made Ash smiled at seeing that he rather stay with Ash than leaving to which he expands Totodile's Pokeball and returns him to it.

"Now the closest gym from here is Violet City, which you'll have to cut through Cherrygrove City to head to Violet City," Nurse Joy explains Ash and the gang, "Just head West of New Bark Town and then head north, and you'll be there within a month if you don't take any detour's."

"Thanks again, and we hope that we won't need it, but knowing our experiences with maps, we might get lost, but we'll try our best," Misty says to which made Brock chuckle, and Ash got nervous laughter from hearing that.

Ash and the others leave New Bark Town as the sun sets after saying their goodbyes.

With the return of Totodile and adding him to the team, things are getting more interesting, as many questions are on Ash and the gang's minds like what Team Rocket is after and what else is in store for them both Pokemon wise and Gym wise as the journey continues.

Done with another chapter in this story. Yeah, it's different from what I've originally had written and longer than before, but I have more plans for Totodile. Yes, he will evolve early in the story. As for Chikorita and Cyndaquil, Chikorita will be evolving into her final stage while Cyndaquil will be at Quilava and stay that until the 3rd story of the trilogy. As for why it couldn't get its flames going, we'll get there when that chapter comes around. Ash meeting Cassy is next. See you guys then.