A possible plot twist is that Pikachu, while in Ash's body, discovers the responsibilities and pressures that Ash faces. He might start to understand why Ash sometimes makes certain decisions during battles. This could lead to a deeper bond between them once they swap back.
Well, Ash is very determined and brave. In Pikachu's body, this might make Pikachu seem more fearless in battles. He might take on stronger opponents without hesitation.
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.
Another theme is adaptation. Ash has to quickly adapt to the new body's physical abilities, like different levels of strength or agility. This often leads to some really interesting scenarios where he has to figure out how to battle or move around in a completely different way. For example, if he swaps with a smaller trainer, he might have to find new strategies for catching Pokemon. Also, there's often the theme of friendship. His friends might not recognize him at first, and he has to prove that he's still Ash on the inside, which shows the strong bonds of friendship in the Pokemon world.
Pikachu might be very confused at first. When it sees 'Ash' (really May in Ash's body) acting differently, it could be hesitant to follow commands as usual. For May's Pokemon, they might be surprised to see 'May' (Ash in May's body) suddenly having a more battle - oriented attitude. For example, May's Beautifly might be confused when 'May' wants to train it for battles instead of focusing on its appearance for Contests.
In this kind of fanfiction, Ash might find it really hard at first. He's used to being a human trainer, and suddenly becoming a Pikachu would be a shock. He'd have to learn how to control Pikachu's electric powers which he only used to command before.
One interesting plot could be that Ash, now in May's body, tries to enter a Pokemon Contest. He has to quickly learn the skills and grace that May has, like how to style the Pokemon in a more appealing way for the judges. Meanwhile, May in Ash's body decides to enter a Gym battle. She struggles with Ash's more straightforward and battle - focused approach compared to her Contest strategies.
There's also 'Body Swap Chaos in the Pokemon World'. In this fanfic, Ash's body swap leads to all kinds of comical and adventurous situations. For example, he has to deal with his new body's limitations while still trying to pursue his Pokemon journey. It's full of humorous moments and unexpected twists.
An interesting plot could involve a strange Pokemon ability that causes the body swap. As they are in each other's bodies, they are forced to travel together to find a way to reverse it. Along the way, they encounter other trainers who notice the strange behavior and they have to come up with excuses. This leads to all sorts of adventures and misunderstandings as they explore each other's lives in a whole new way.
The concept of facing fears is a theme that can be explored. Ash may have fears about not being a good enough trainer, and Pikachu could have fears related to its own power or protecting Ash. Fanfictions can show how they overcome these fears together. Additionally, the theme of legacy could be present. Ash wants to be a great Pokemon master like his idols, and Pikachu is part of that journey. Their story could be seen as part of the greater Pokemon legacy, and fanfictions can play with this idea in different ways.