He might use his Pokemon adventures as a cover. Since he's always traveling to different places for battles and to catch new Pokemon, it would be easy for him to meet someone secretly. He could say he's off on a solo Pokemon - hunting trip when in fact he's meeting his girlfriend.
Ash could rely on his Pikachu to keep the secret. Pikachu is his closest companion and very intelligent. Pikachu could help create distractions or use its electric powers to block any unwanted attention when Ash is with his secret girlfriend.
It could be Misty. They have a long - standing relationship in the Pokemon series. They've traveled together and shared many adventures, so in a fanfiction, it's not a stretch to imagine her as a secret girlfriend.
It could also be a new character created specifically for the fanfic. Fanfic writers often introduce original characters to add new twists to the story. This new character could be someone who meets Ash during his travels and they gradually fall in love without the other main characters knowing.
Another possibility is that it's a Pokémon in human form, which is a common trope in some fanfics. This Pokémon - turned - human could have fallen in love with Ash during their adventures together, and now they have to keep their relationship a secret from the world of Pokémon and humans alike.
Misty is a very common character. She was one of Ash's earliest companions. In fanfiction, she is often portrayed as his girlfriend because of their long - standing friendship and the chemistry they had during their travels. They bickered like an old married couple at times, which could easily be developed into a romantic relationship in fan - created stories.
In fanfiction, Ash might improve his pokemon's IV through special training regimens. For example, he could focus on specific battle scenarios that target areas related to IV stats like speed or strength. He might also seek out rare items in the fanfiction world that have the power to enhance these inherent values.
He could start with strict daily routines. For instance, waking up early for warm - up exercises, just like real - life athletes. In the fanfiction, this would show his dedication.
Often, it starts with Ash having an internal struggle or realization about his gender identity. He might notice that he doesn't feel like he fits the traditional male role he has been in. Then, he begins to explore this new side of himself, perhaps trying out different appearances or behaviors that are more in line with his true self.
Maybe it's a new character created specifically for the fanfiction. A girl from a far - off region who Ash meets during one of his journeys. She could be a powerful trainer or have some special abilities that draw Ash to her, and they start a secret relationship.
It could also expand the lore. Old fanfics often have their own interpretations of the Pokemon world. When Ash uses ideas from them, it might introduce new concepts or relationships that weren't part of the original story. This can make the Pokemon world seem even larger and more complex.
Ash would probably be devastated. He would feel like his world has been turned upside down. At first, he might not believe it and think it's all a big mistake. As the reality sinks in, he could start to isolate himself from others, even from his Pokemon for a while. However, his strong will would eventually kick in. He would use this as motivation to become stronger, not just in his Pokemon battles but also in his ability to face challenges alone, without relying on his so - called friends.