What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Charge! Galar Mine!

The trainers arrive at the entrance to Galar Mine, Liko notices Hatenna trembling in her hood. "Aw, Hatenna, you must be reacting to the Black Rayquaza's feelings." she estimated.

The trainers enter the mine, finding some wild Pokemon fleeing the scene, "Rayquaza must've scared them off," Friede concluded, "You guys stay here, I'm gonna look ahead in case the Black Rayquaza may be nearby. We don't wanna be caught offguard."

Friede walks off as Roy hears a cry from the opposite direction, causing him to follow after the sound of the cry. "Roy, Friede told us to wait!" Ash and Liko run after their friend.

The trainers follow the cry as Hatenna begins to tremble again as they venture onward. The three trainers spot various wild Pokemon hiding away before stumbling upon some workers who seem to have no energy.

"It's the World Monarch...." One worker managed to utter out, "He can help us..."

"What happened?" Ash asked.

"We found a giant Pokemon further down in the mine," Another worker explained, "Before we could battle it, we felt our energy slipping away and now we can barely move."

"Don't worry, we'll take care of this!" Ash declared with a confident smirk.

"We?!" Liko exclaimed.

"Yeah," Roy answered for Ash, "We can handle it!"

"Let' stay here for a bit," Ash suggested, "I wanna call the Pokemon Center and make sure these guys get outta here."

After the trainers watched the Pokemon Center staff haul the last worker and their Pokemon out of the mine, they venture deeper into the mine. They don't make it far before Zirc and Onia stand before them.

"Going somewhere?" Zirc taunted.

"C'mon!" Roy exclaimed, "You guys are here?!"

"We'll take care of 'em!" Ash declared before he feels hot seeds hit his back. The World Monarch flinches as Pikachu is scooped up by a net. Ash turns around and sees Team Rocket standing behind them looking smug.

"Hiya there, Twerp!" Meowth taunted, holding up the net containing Pikachu, "Ya lost something?"

"Wobbuffet!"

Ash sighed, "Guys, I trust you. 'Cause you'll have to take them on while I get Piakchu back."

"You can count on us, Ash!" Roy reassured.

Ash sends out his Quaxly to stand against Capsakid and Wobbuffet, before any battle could take place, Cap bursts in and uses Thunder Punch to free Pikachu before the two of them stand beside Ash's Quaxly.aa

"Cap?" Roy seemed confused, "How'd he get here?"

"Friede must've sent him to find us!" Liko concluded.

Suddenly, Liko's pendant begins to glow as a giant winged Pokemon donning black feathers and a fiery-pink mane bursts through the walls of the mine and stares down at the trainers.

"What in Arceus' name is that thing?!" Jessie exclaimed, shaking James wildly.

"It kinda looks like a Moltres!" James theorized.

Ash pulls out his Rotom Phone and scans the Pokemon, "Moltres, Galarian form, The Malevolent Pokémon, a Dark and Flying Type, This Pokémon's sinister, flame-like aura will consume the spirit of any creature it hits. Victims become burned-out shadows of themselves."

"Moltres has a galarian form?!" Ash shouted in astonishment.

"Look at what's holding?!" Roy pointed.

Ash and Liko looked at Moltres' feet and sees an Ancient Poke Ball between its talons. "It must be another one of the Hero Pokemon!" Liko concluded.

The Galarian Moltres unleashes an Air Slash, which Cap deflects so it doesn't harm the children. The attack still lands on the Explorers and Team Rocket, dealing heavy damage to Golduck and Rhydon and sending Team Rocket flying.

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

"WOBBUFFET!"

Moltres then uses Fiery Wrath, draining the trainers and Pokemon of their energy. Despite the effects of the move, Ash musters what's remaining of his strengh to push himself back onto hsi feet. Both his Pokemon and Cap follow suit, ready to fight against the Hero Pokemon and calm it down.

Moltres uses Wing Attack that Cap dodges and pushes Sprigatito out of the way from. Pikachu holds Moltres still with Electroweb so Ash's Quaxly can use Water Gun to slow it down. Roy and Fuecoco see the battle and force themseleves onto their feet. Fuecoco uses Flamethrower that Moltres counters with Hurricane. Moltres targets Roy with an Air Slash, which Cap blocks with Thunder Punch.

Liko and Hatenna watch the battle, sensing the rage within Moltres. They notice the Mine's walls beginning to crumble, Liko and her Pokemon frce themsleves onto their feet. "We gotta get outta here!"

Ash and Roy notice the walls around them about to break apart. Ash firmed his resolve and finds a nearby mine cart. The trainers rush onto the mine cart as Ash begins to push it.

"Ash, what are you doing?" Roy asked.

"Someone's gotta keep that Moltres busy," Ash explained, "I'll hold it off so no one else can get hurt."

"But-" Liko began.

"I'll be fine," Ash smirked, "I'm the World Monarch for a reason."

Ash gives the mine cart one last push and gets it rolling on the tracks. Moltres chases after the cart and crashes into a nearby wall, comign across Friede having a battle with Amethio. Friede looked up at the legendary Pokemon as the mine cart got further away.

"A Galarian Moltres?!" Friede exclaimed.

"It's a Hero Pokemon!" Ash urgently explained, his two Pokemon holding Moltres back. "If someone doesn't beat it now, more people could get hurt."

Amethio and Friede share a look before nodding, Charizard uses Flamethrower on Moltres as Friede calls out Liko and Roy, "Take care of Cap for me!"

The mine cart exits Galar Mine as Ash, Amethio and Friede stands before an enraged Moltres.