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.
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.
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.
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.
For Ash, Pikachu is always a great choice as it's his most loyal and powerful partner. Alongside that, a strong flying type like Charizard could be useful. For Brock, his Onix would be a staple. And perhaps a water - type like Vaporeon could be good for him to balance his team. Since they are teaming up, having a psychic - type like Alakazam could also be beneficial as it can help in battles and also with communication in tricky situations.
Ash could also have Charizard. It's a powerful and well - loved Pokemon of his. It could provide a lot of firepower in battles. For Gray, a Glaceon would be great. Glaceon's ice - type moves could complement Gray's more strategic style. It could freeze opponents and give Gray time to plan his next move.
If we consider the common growth pattern in the Pokemon series, Charmander evolving into Charmeleon could be an early evolution in the fanfiction. Since Charmander has a clear evolution line and Ash has a strong bond with it, it would make sense for it to be one of the first to evolve, perhaps due to a tough battle or a special encounter that accelerates its growth.
Ash's loss could lead to a change in his journey. Instead of just aiming for Pokémon battles and championships, he might focus more on self - improvement and understanding his Pokémon better. He could travel to new regions to learn different training techniques or seek out wise Pokémon trainers who can give him advice on how to avoid such losses in the future.