The gravel below his shoes crunched as he walked down the road, this was Route One an easy and safe trail so the people in Pallet Town had easy access to Viridian City there were little to no threats in this area with only Pidgeys and Rattatas being located here you'd need to pass through Viridian if you wanted to find something else like a Caterpie or Weedle.

He turned to face his partner Machamp the Superpower Pokemon kept a steady pace next to his trainer and around the duo floated the Rotom Dex who was eagerly snapping photos of the world around them.

"It's so different from Alola bot in plant life and temperature!" He chirped happily examining the grass on the side of the trail only to shoot backward in a screech of panic as a Rattata jumped at it biting down on the bottom part of the RotomDex causing him to panic.

"Let go let go let go!" it yelled as the Rattata kept a firm grip on the shell of the Rotom.

Ash's heart raced as he witnessed the unexpected encounter between the mischievous Rattata and his distressed Rotom Dex. Reacting swiftly, Ash commanded Machamp into action.

"Quick Machamp use Knock Off!" He called and obediently Machamp lunged forwards Dark-Type energy coated the palms of their four hands which promptly slapped the normal-type with the attack sending it flying off the sentient device.

With a powerful strike, Machamp's Knock Off attack successfully dislodged the Rattata from the Rotom Dex. The mischievous Pokémon tumbled through the air before landing a few feet away, swirls in their eyes indicated that the rodent had fainted.

"Go PokeBall!" Ash exclaimed tossing the device he had in hand the red and white ball impacted the Rattata and caught it with barely a shake.

"I caught my first Pokemon!"He ran over and picked up the immobile ball "Thanks to you guys" he says to his teammates, Machamp shoots a victorious thump up and a RotomDex groaned and mumbled about the teeth marks left behind on his outer shell.

"Let's keep going I want to at least get to Viridian before nightfall hopefully we can find another teammate on the way" Ash attaches the PokeBall to his belt and went back to the walking down the trail.

The walk was rather peaceful the sounds of chirping Pidgey around the group had a calming aura, though this didn't last as after an hour of walking the sky began to darken as clouds began to blot out the sun.

"Aww man it's gonna rain, let's set up camp before we get soaked, RotomDex can you see if there is a clearing nearby" Ash complained "Champ!" "Alrighty my map says there should be one about 30ft left of the trail that is right next to a small river" Ash smiled "At least I can get some fishing in I want to catch a water-type before Brock, I don't want to lean too heavily on you buddy" He looks at Machamp who nodded.

"Hmm, my scanner shows the most likely Water-Type you'd find in a river such as this would be Magikarps" An image of the notorious Pokemon appeared on the screen.

Excited about the prospect of catching a Water-type Pokémon, Ash and his team veered off the trail and made their way toward the clearing near the river. As they arrived, the sound of flowing water filled their ears, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Setting up camp quickly, Ash took out his fishing rod and bait, ready to try his luck. Machamp watched with interest, flexing its muscles in anticipation, while the Rotom Dex hovered nearby, eager to document the potential capture.

Ash cast his line into the river, the bait gently floating atop the water's surface. The team patiently waited, eyes focused on the bobbing float. The rain started to drizzle, creating a soothing ambiance.

Suddenly, a tug on the fishing line sent vibrations of excitement through Ash's hands. He felt a surge of adrenaline as he began reeling in his catch. With each turn of the reel, the anticipation grew.

As the Pokémon emerged from the water, it was not a Magikarp as expected, but a shimmering blue and white Pokémon with a fin-like crest on its head—a Totodile!

"Awesome! It's a Totodile!" Ash exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with joy. The Water-type Pokémon thrashed about, its jaws snapping playfully in the air, the Johto starter happily bounced around the river edge enjoying the sensation of the rain against its blue body.

"Alright! Totodile I challenge you to a battle" Ash exclaimed only to notice the starter was too caught up in its dancing to even notice the trainer.

Amused by Totodile's energetic display, Ash couldn't help but chuckle. He realized that the playful Pokémon was more interested in having fun than engaging in a battle at the moment.

"Hey there, Totodile! Looks like you're having a blast," Ash said, a smile spreading across his face. "How about we save the battle for later? Right now, let's enjoy the rain together and get to know each other better."

Totodile paused its dancing and turned to face Ash, its eyes gleaming with curiosity. It seemed intrigued by the trainer's friendly approach. Ash extended his hand, offering a gesture of friendship.

"Let's be friends, Totodile. I think we'll make a great team," Ash said, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

Totodile studied Ash for a moment before tilting its head and accepting the trainer's hand. It gave a cheerful chirp, indicating its agreement to join Ash's team.

Excited about the new addition, Ash retrieved a Poké Ball from his belt and gently tapped Totodile on the head with it. The Pokémon was absorbed into the ball with a flash of light, signaling a successful capture.

Ash held the shaking Poké Ball in his hand, anticipation building as he waited for the capture to finalize. After a few moments, the ball emitted a satisfying click, indicating that Totodile was now officially part of Ash's team.

"Welcome to the team, Totodile!" Ash exclaimed, his excitement contagious. He returned the Poké Ball to his belt, feeling a sense of pride and enthusiasm for the journey ahead.

With their team now strengthened by the addition of Totodile, Ash and his Pokémon companions gathered in the campsite, enjoying the rain and bonding with each other. They shared stories, laughter, and even engaged in friendly training exercises, further solidifying their unity as a team.

As night fell and the rain gradually subsided, Ash couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the adventures that awaited them. With his trusty companions by his side, he knew that they would overcome any challenges and achieve greatness together.

With renewed energy and a newfound friend, Ash settled down for the night, eagerly looking forward to the journey ahead and the battles that would test their skills and forge their bonds even stronger. Little did he know that this encounter with Totodile was just the beginning of an extraordinary adventure filled with friendship, excitement, and the pursuit of becoming a Pokémon Master he was just sure of it.

As the night sky enveloped the campsite, Ash and his Pokémon companions rested inside their cozy tents, their spirits high and dreams filled with aspirations of becoming the best Pokémon trainers.

The sound of gentle raindrops tapping against the tents provided a soothing backdrop for their slumber. Ash's mind wandered to the challenges that lay ahead—gym battles, tough opponents, and the pursuit of badges. But he was determined, fueled by the passion that burned within him.

In the darkness, Machamp and Totodile nestled close to their trainer, finding comfort in their newfound camaraderie. Even Rotom Dex, despite its earlier mishap with the mischievous Rattata, whirred contentedly, having found its place among the team.

As Ash drifted into sleep, his dreams carried him to vivid landscapes and thrilling encounters with powerful Pokémon. He envisioned epic battles, unexpected friendships, and the unbreakable bond he would forge with his Pokémon.

The next morning, the sun's rays peeked through the trees, gently awakening Ash from his dreams. He emerged from his tent, stretching his arms and taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air.

He smiled as Machamp, Totodile, Rattata and RotomDex slept inside the tent Ash dutifully went to work creating breakfast, he had to thank his mom for packing curry ingredients, he wasn't bad at cooking but wasn't great either so he tended to prefer foods with as few steps as possible which is why he preferred sandwiches and in this case curry. he was preparing a simple sausage curry.

With the aroma of the curry wafting through the campsite, Ash's Pokémon companions began to stir, enticed by the delicious scent. They emerged from the tent one by one, their expressions filled with anticipation.

Machamp, with its powerful muscles, rubbed its eyes sleepily before its gaze locked onto the simmering curry. Its stomach growled, and it eagerly approached the makeshift dining area where Ash had set up the picnic table his mom had gotten from Paldea, he had no idea how it and the cooking set from Galar could shrink he briefly remembers in a magazine from a few years prior that they had integrated pars of the PokeBall technology into them to allow them to shrink and grow like the modern PokeBall.

Totodile followed suit, its playful demeanor evident as it bounded over to join the others. It hopped up onto the table the food had been sat on, its eyes fixed on the savory meal in front of it.

Rotom Dex floated nearby, scanning the curry with its built-in sensors. Although incapable of consuming food itself, it expressed its excitement through cheerful beeps and animated images on its screen.

"Breakfast is served, everyone!" Ash announced, a wide grin on his face. He ladled the aromatic curry into bowls, ensuring each of his Pokémon had their fair share. He set a bowl down for himself as well, eager to taste the culmination of his culinary efforts.

The group gathered around the table, ready to savor the meal together. Ash watched with delight as his Pokémon eagerly dug into their bowls, their expressions filled with satisfaction and delight.

Machamp's powerful appetite was evident as it quickly devoured its portion, its muscles rippling with each hearty bite. Totodile, with its sharp teeth, chomped down on the sausage chunks with gusto, its eyes lighting up at the explosion of flavors.

As for Rotom Dex, it observed the others with an almost envy-like interest, capturing images of the curry-filled bowls and making notes about taste sensations it had gathered from previous encounters with various dishes.

Amidst the meal, Ash couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and fulfillment. Seeing his Pokémon enjoy the food he had prepared brought a warm feeling to his heart. It was moments like these that reminded him of the bonds they were building, not only as trainer and Pokémon but as friends and teammates.

As the last remnants of the curry disappeared from their bowls, the group sat back, satisfied and content. They exchanged glances and shared a collective sense of gratitude for the simple yet meaningful moments they experienced together.

With breakfast concluded, Ash cleaned up the campsite, ensuring they left no trace behind. He packed up their belongings, readying themselves for another day of adventure and exploration.

Before setting off, Ash took a moment to soak in the tranquil surroundings. The sun had risen higher in the sky, casting a warm glow upon the trees and river. The air was crisp, invigorating his spirit and fueling his determination.

"Alright, team," Ash said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Today, we continue our journey to Viridian City. Let's make the most of every opportunity, face every challenge head-on, and continue to grow stronger together."

His Pokémon companions nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with determination. They were ready to face whatever lay ahead, knowing that their bond and unwavering friendship would guide them through every twist and turn.

With the campsite tidied up and their spirits lifted, Ash and his Pokémon set off once again. The walk to Viridian only lasted a few more hours at most but during the walk RotomDex noticed something curious "Hey Ash why do you keep your Pokémon out of their Balls?"

Ash glanced at Rotom Dex, a thoughtful expression on his face. He understood the curiosity behind the question and decided to take a moment to explain his reasoning.

"Well, Rotom Dex, I believe that Pokémon are not just my partners in battles, but also my friends. Keeping them out of their Poké Balls allows us to strengthen our bond and interact more closely," Ash replied, his voice filled with conviction.

He continued, "When my Pokémon are by my side, I can better understand their needs, emotions, and personalities. It helps me connect with them on a deeper level, and that connection translates into stronger teamwork and trust during battles."

Machamp, Totodile, and Rattata, who had been listening intently, nodded in agreement, their eyes reflecting the deep bond they had already formed with Ash, though Rattata was a bit bitter about the one-hit knockout.

Ash went on to say, "Of course, there are times when it's necessary to recall them into their Poké Balls, like during battles or when we need to travel quickly. But when we're exploring, training, or simply spending time together, I like to let them roam freely by my side."

He smiled warmly at his Pokémon companions, appreciating the unique qualities each of them brought to the team. "By keeping them out of their Poké Balls, we can learn from each other, grow together, and overcome challenges as a united team. It's a way for us to build trust and forge unbreakable bonds."