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.
The unknown champion could be a reclusive hermit - like character who has been living in seclusion in a forest. They have trained their Pokémon in harmony with nature and have a very different approach compared to the more mainstream trainers. Maybe they are an old - timer who has seen different eras of Pokémon training.
There are many family - friendly Ash Ketchum fanfics. Some might focus on his adventures in different regions, like his journey in the Alola region where he forms new friendships with Pokémon and trainers. These fanfics can be about his growth as a trainer, how he overcomes challenges in battles, and his bond with Pikachu in new and exciting scenarios.
One good fanfic could be 'Ash's Homecoming'. It focuses on Ash returning home to Pallet Town and his heartwarming interactions with Delia. It shows their strong bond through simple daily activities like having dinner together and sharing stories of his adventures.
In a fanfic, Ash could be turned into a vampire by an ancient, powerful Pokemon with vampiric abilities. This would completely change his relationship with his other Pokemon. Some might be scared of him, while others would stay by his side. He would then have to learn to control his vampire powers and instincts in order to continue his journey. For example, he'd need to figure out how to be in the sunlight without getting burned as he travels from place to place.
I like 'Ash Ketchum's Hidden Powers Fanfic'. In this one, Ash discovers some hidden powers within himself that he never knew he had. It's exciting because it takes the story in a new direction, different from the regular Pokémon anime plot.