Ash could be a Pokémon trainer with a different starting point in this fanfiction. Born in 1987, by 1997 he might have already made a name for himself in local Pokémon battles. He could have a team of Pokémon that he rescued from difficult situations, like a Charmander that was abandoned by its trainer. His story could revolve around giving these Pokémon a second chance and proving that Pokémon don't need to be 'perfect' to be strong.
In a fanfiction about Ash born in 1987 and his situation in 1997, we could see an alternate story where Ash is not the typical rookie trainer. Since he's a bit older than in the original, he might be more knowledgeable about Pokémon lore. He could be on a quest to uncover some ancient Pokémon secrets in 1997. He might travel to different regions, not just for battles but also to study old Pokémon texts and artifacts, and along the way, form an unusual team of Pokémon that are attracted to his in - depth knowledge.
In this fanfiction, Gary might be an important character too. He could be a rival from the very beginning, with both of them having different approaches to Pokémon since Ash was born into it. Professor Oak would also be a main character as he could be the one to discover Ash's unique connection to Pokémon and help him on his journey.
Maybe in this fanfiction, Ash is born with a special Pokémon ability. This could lead to a plot where he has to hide this power at first because others might misunderstand or be jealous. It could also attract the attention of some evil organizations who want to use his power for their own gain.
Another storyline could be how Ash's birth year affects his relationships with other characters. Maybe in this fanfiction, being born in 1987 means he has a different dynamic with Misty. Since they are from different generations in a sense, it could lead to some interesting conflicts and reconciliations. He might be more traditional in his Pokemon training methods compared to some of the younger trainers he meets, which could also create storylines about the evolution of training styles.
His birth year might mean he has a preference for older or more classic Pokemon. For example, he could be more likely to choose Pokemon like Bulbasaur, which has been around for a long time in the Pokemon world. Since he was born in 1987, he might have grown up hearing stories about certain Pokemon and be more drawn to them for his team.
Pikachu is a very likely candidate. It's Ash's most iconic Pokemon and has a deep bond with him. Whenever Ash is in trouble, Pikachu often steps up to protect him.
The impact of Ash's loss in the fanfiction could extend beyond just himself. His Pokémon might also feel demoralized. However, this could also be an opportunity for them to grow stronger together. Ash could start training more intensively, seek new training methods, or even try to catch new Pokémon to strengthen his team.
One popular type of Pokemon Ash and Pikachu fanfiction might be adventure - based. For example, Ash and Pikachu could embark on a journey to a new and mysterious region filled with undiscovered Pokemon species. They might face challenges like difficult terrains and powerful, previously - unseen Pokemon. In this fanfiction, Pikachu's electric powers could be enhanced in some unique way, and Ash would have to strategize differently to overcome the obstacles.
One popular aspect of Alola fanfiction with Ash could be his growth as a trainer. In the Alola region, Ash had unique experiences. Fanfiction might explore how he further developed his skills, formed new bonds with Pokemon, and interacted with the local culture. For example, his relationship with Pikachu might be delved into deeper, showing how they overcame new challenges together in the Alola setting.