What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Special Training Time!

The Brave Olivine continues its voyage to Galar as Liko anxiously paces in front of Dot's door, the idea that her new friend is her very idol rushing through her mind. Ash watches Liko with a smile, remembering when he was in her position. "Y'know, when I found out the Masked Royal was Professor Kukui, I was pretty shocked too!"

"Pika!" Pikachu remarked.

Liko perked up, "How'd you deal with it?"

"I got used to it." Ash explained, "He's still the same guy, Masked Royal or not. Just like Dot, just because she's Nidothing means she's a different person, It's still the same person under that costume."

Roy suddenly enters the hallway, "Hey guys, have either of you seen Fuecoco or Wattrel? I can't find them."

Ash shook his head, "No, but we'll help you look for them!"

Roy smiled gratefully, "Thanks guys."

The trainers wander outside and spots Wattrel attempting to sunbathe with Fuecoco in its way. Wattrel begins pecking at the Paldean starter, causing a conflict. Roy attempts to calm things down by singing with Fuecoco, which causes Wattrel to get jealous and let out an ear-piercing cry. Fuecoco lets out an outraged cry of its own. The trainers cover their ears at the contrasting sounds. "Roy, I think you should try to help them get along!" Ash shouted, "But for now, return them to their Poke Balls!"

"Got it!" Roy shouted becak before recalling both of his Pokemon. 

Later, the trainers all gather at the table for lunch. Wattrel gets annoyed at Fuecoco's close proximity and begins pecking it again. Roy chases after his Pokemon as they run around the room, which Liko giggles at.

Orla notices Liko's laugher, "Say Liko, have you thought of catching another Pokemon?"

Liko perked up, "Another Pokemon?" Liko looks on at Sprigatito eating by herself, "I haven't really thought about it, but I guess Sprigatito could use a friend. I just hope they won't fight like Fuecoco and Wattrel are."

"Have multiple Pokemon is the best!" Ash exclaimed, "Well, when the team's not fighting. Cause then they're like the best of friends!"

Ash jabs his thumb over to Pikachu and his Quaxly, both Pokemon happily sharing food and engaging in conversation. Interesting Liko in the possibility of having another teammate.

A few hours later, Ash trains with his Pokemon outside and has the two of them spar. Ash soon hears some commotion from the other side of the ship and recalls his Quaxly as Pikachu hops onto his shoulder. Ash wanders to the wing deck to see Roy in a battle with Friede. Wattrel unleashes a new move Ash recognizes as Spark that strikes Cap before he causes Fuecoco and Wattrel to ram into each other and knocking both of them out.

Roy's Pokemon begin chasing each other around as Friede's Rotom Phone floats up to his eye-level. Dot's face appears on the screen, "Hey Friede, there's a lot of turbulence coming up. You guys should probably head back inside."

Friede nodded, "Right."

Ash and Friede head inside as Roy chases after his Pokemon. A couple minutes later, Liko exits the infirmary and sees Ash sitting in the lobby alone, "Hey Ash, did Roy come in yet?"

Ash thought for a moment, "Wait, I don't think he did. We gotta go help him!"

Ash and Liko open the nearby doors as Fuecoco rushes into Ash's arms. The trainers look through the winds to see Roy holding onto Wattrel for dear life to ensure it isn't blown away from the ship. Wattrel's wings begin to glow in a yellow light as a thick branch flies towards Wattrel. The Pokemon suddenly blasts it apart with a powerful Spark. Ash and Liko grab onto Roy and pull him and Wattrel back inside in the nick of time.

"Woah," Roy breathed, "That Spark was stronger than what it was when we were battling Cap. I think it even has a chance of overthrowing Cap's Thunder Punch or even Pikachu's Thunderbolt."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu seemed eager to put that to the test.

"But, why wasn't Spark that strong when we were battling Cap?" Roy asked.

Liko pulls out her Rotom Phone, "It says here that Wattrel generates electricity from wind, so its wings being hit by the turbulent winds must've allowed it to generate more electricity than before."

Roy thought for a moment, "But how do I generate wind during a battle?" Roy snapped his fingers, "Let's ask Dot!"

"Wait, you wanna ask Nidothing?!" Liko said, clearly flustered.

Ash chuckled, "C'mon Liko, I'm sure seeing Dot face-to-face can help you out with this Nidothing problem."

The trainers are soon sat on Dot's bed, Liko seems especially nervous in her idol's room, while Dot does some research on her computer after Roy had informed her of his problem. "Well, since Wattrel is small and can't fly very well, I think falling from a great height would generate enough wind for a moment." She informed her friends.

Roy suddenly stood up, "I've got an idea! Don't wait up, I wanna keep this a secret." And with that, he ran out of the room.

Ash and Liko head out to the wing deck in the evening, carrying drinks and sandwiches as Roy and his Pokemon didn't arrive at dinner. They find Roy and his Pokemon leaying on the wing deck in exhaustion.

"Oh, thanks guys!" Roy perked up before he and his Pokemon gobble up the food.

"Hey Roy," Ash began, "I'm kinda interested in what you;ve got planned. Mind if Pikachu and I work with Cap and Friede tomorrow?"

"You know it!" Roy replied, "I wanna show my plans off to both Pikachu and Cap!"

"Pika!" Pikachu pumped his fist, ready to see what Wattrel had to offer.

The next morning, the rest of the RVT watch as Ash and Friede stand opposite of Roy with their respective Pikachus. Fuecoco and Wattrel suddenly jump onto Roy's head and forms a mini-tower. Roy flings his Pokemon into the air as Fuecoco used Ember to propell them further upwards. As they descent, Fuecoco continues uses Ember as Wattrel soars downward with Spark, the generated winds strengthening its power. Cap ditches his hat as he and Pikachu both met the attack head on with Thunder Punch and Iron Tail, pushing Wattrel back. Fuecoco attempts to use Tackle on Cap as he falls, but Cap dodges as Fuecoco falls to the ground and lands on Wattrel, knocking them both out.

"Aw man," Roy deflated, "I spent all night thinking of that and making it work."

"It's okay, Roy!" Murdock insisted, "You still trained really hard and managed to put up a good fight!"

"And Cap's hat came off during the battle." Friede pointed out, "And i think that's a pretty good achievement, shows that Cap got serious for a moment."

"And Pikachu wasn't going easy either!" Ash exclaimed.

Roy smiles at the praise and stands up tall and begins happily singing with Fuecoco, with Wattrel joining in as well. Liko smiles at the dynamic as she approaches Ash. "Y'know Ash? Maybe having more Pokemon on my team can be kinda fun."

"Believe me, it's the best!" Ash exclaimed, showing her his Rotom Phone containing a screen showcasing all the Pokemon he's caught. "And the more you catch, the more Pokemon friends you make!"