Well, one idea in Pokemon fanfiction for making Ash smart and powerful is to give him a mentor who teaches him advanced Pokemon training techniques. This mentor could be an old and wise trainer or even a legendary Pokemon in disguise. And he could also gain power from ancient artifacts related to Pokemon in the fanfiction world.
Ash could become smart and powerful by studying the history and lore of Pokemon. This knowledge would give him an edge in battles and in understanding different Pokemon species. For instance, knowing a Pokemon's natural habitat and behavior can help him strategize better.
If Ash had a powerful starter, the anime would likely be more action - intense from the start. His battles would be quicker and more decisive, as his starter could overpower many opponents easily. This might also lead to different story arcs, as stronger opponents would need to be introduced earlier to keep the challenge level up.
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.
It's hard to say who would be more powerful. Red has a lot of experience from his adventures in Kanto. But Ash has also faced many tough battles in different regions, including Alola. It might depend on the situation and the type of Pokémon they are using.
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.
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.