Misty and Brock could be important characters as well. They have been with Ash for a long time. They might be deeply affected by Ash's supposed death and be the ones leading the search to find out what really happened.
In some versions of such fanfiction, Ash fakes his death as part of a master plan to stop an evil organization from achieving their goals. He stages his death in a way that makes the organization believe they are safe, but in reality, he is working behind the scenes, gathering evidence and allies. His friends initially mourn his loss, but as the story unfolds, they start to suspect that something is not right and eventually figure out his plan.
His Pokémon, like Pikachu, would surely be important characters. Pikachu might be the first to suspect that Ash is not really dead and start searching for him. Misty and Brock could also be main characters. They are Ash's long - time friends and would be deeply affected by his supposed death. They might be the ones to uncover the truth behind his faked death and help him in his plan, or they could be completely in the dark at first and then gradually figure things out.
Well, perhaps in the fanfiction, Ash fakes his death to escape from some sort of unwanted fame or pressure. He's been in the spotlight for so long, and he just wants a break. So, he devises a plan to make it seem like he's passed away. Then he could start a new life in a different region, maybe with a new identity, and train Pokémon in a more peaceful and private way. He could also use this opportunity to learn more about some rare and elusive Pokémon without the media or his fans constantly following him.
One idea could be that Ash sacrifices himself to save his Pokémon during a really intense battle against an extremely powerful and evil Pokémon. Another might be related to a disease spreading in the Pokémon world that Ash contracts and unfortunately doesn't survive. Maybe in a fanfic, he gets caught in a natural disaster in a far - off region while on a journey and perishes.
Maybe a new, mysterious villain who has a grudge against Ash or wants to use his skills for their own evil purposes. This villain might be from a far - off region and has special powers that allow them to hypnotize people. They see Ash as a useful tool to carry out their plans in the Pokémon world.
His rival, Gary, could be a likely candidate. Gary has always been competitive with Ash, and in this fanfiction, his jealousy could reach a boiling point, causing him to betray Ash for his own gain, like trying to steal his Pokémon or get credit for his achievements.
Ash could become more confident and wise as a Dragon Master. His decision - making skills would improve as he deals with powerful and often unpredictable dragon Pokémon.
Fanfiction can also take a more comical approach. Picture Ash and Jessie accidentally swapping bodies or getting stuck in a Pokemon's body. This would lead to all sorts of hilarious misunderstandings and attempts to get back to normal. It would be a fun and light - hearted way to explore their characters in a different context.
Yes, there might be some 'Ash Ketchum bullied' fanfiction out there. Fanfiction often explores various scenarios, and unfortunately, bullying can be one of them. Some authors might be interested in creating stories where Ash Ketchum faces bullying to show his character development in difficult situations or to explore darker themes within the Pokémon universe.