Was hoping not have Misty join him but oh well. By having that three year gap between his original anime start and this story, I was he'd experience his journey alone or at least meet his old companions like Brock in a different way.

Can't read the chapter.

While the more in depth look into his journey at 13 is great, as was his reasoning for staying, I do hope you don't do an exact re telling of the anime itself. As the whole Pikachu being tied and so on while interesting moments that occurred in the anime for their somewhat comedic effect, here it proved to a hindrance in the early stages of the relationship to be built between Ash and Pikachu. So hopefully moving forward the title can be put to the test and we'll see what indeed Fate has in store for the dynamic duo and the future team.

I am curious to what the variety of captures will be pending if you include all generations being able to migrate from region to region. If so, I am hoping he encounters the same types he did in the anime just with different Pokemon. For ex. When he encounters a Bug type Pokemon to officially catch rather than Caterpie (and I love his Butterfree, I do) he could encounter let's say, a Venipede or maybe a Nincada. When encountering what would be Pidgeotto perhaps he finds a Murkrow and so on. The starters are a toss up but you could the original trio or a combination of his most standout starters like a Froakie wanting to help the Squirtle Squad, as opposed to Squirtle he catches Froakie. We could Treecko or Chikorita being the Protector of the forest Pokemon Bulbasaur was and since Charizard is awesome as is that storyline could stay the same with Damien abandoning him.

So while following the original spirit of the anime, the story evolves into something different. Something to consider if not for this story then perhaps another down the line.

It's something I haven't seen any author do and could help this story stand that much more. Hope this helps.