What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

A Challenge from the Explorers

The Rising Volt Tacklers are doing some shopping. Liko, Orla, and Mollie have just finished buying their portion of the shopping list when they find Ash, Roy and Friede waiting in line for a limited-set Sea Diglett Manjū, with only 30 boxes of it being available per day. Mollie says they are free to continue waiting as long as they've completed shopping everything they were supposed to. Awkwardly, Ash, Friede and Roy make it clear they haven't done so yet, so they head out to shop, while Mollie asks Liko to make sure that Ash and Roy doesn't waste their money. Outside the town, Coral and Sidian have arrived as well, with Coral having promised her fellow admin that there's something very important to be found here. She disguises herself to avoid being recognized as a member of the Explorers before heading out, leaving her partner looking after her.

Just as Ash, Liko and Roy complete their shoppings, Liko notices a hunched-over old man, scowling in a way that intimidates her. Ash, however, realizes that the old man must've thrown his back, so he, Roy and Liko help him aboard his cart and take him to his destination while Sprigatito gives him a back massage, making him feel better. A young man approaches them and says that they can now open their shop. As thanks for helping him, the old man gives the children a boxful of the coveted Sea Diglett Manjū, as he actually works at the shop that sells them. The manjū is made of local sea salt and red bean paste, covered in white chocolate imported all the way from the Kalos region to give it the appearance of a Wiglett. Being assured that this box is not one of the 30 boxes to be sold today, Ash, Liko and Roy happily accept it as the two men leave.

Back in town, Coral is waiting in line for the Sea Diglett Manjū just as the store opens. Counting herself as the 30th person in the queue, she's sure she'll get a box, but unfortunately for her, the last box instead goes to the Cutiefly in front of her, which had come to pick it up for an errand. Coral is enraged, but despite her protests, she's thrown out of that store as it is closed for the day. Her state of disbelief ends up being short-lived when Ash, Liko and Roy walk past with their box of manjū, eating them. 

Ash: Oh it's so good!

Liko: I can't belive we got this without having to wait in line

Roy: Yeah, we were just nice to someone

Outraged by the children having gotten a manjū box without having to wait in line while she's been left with nothing, Coral swears to make them pay.

Ash, Liko and Roy head back to the airship, but just before they can reach it, Roy notices that Fuecoco has run off. He quickly finds his partner, only to spot a letter attached to Fuecoco's back. Despite the handwriting being hard to read, Roy is able to make out what it says. The letter's sender claims they stole something important and demands to meet them at the nearby "Snorlax Rock". Roy, having heard of old-style challenge letters from his grandfather, figures this must be one, and heads out to the Snorlax Rock, followed by Ash and Liko. At the designated spot, Coral is waiting for them and demands they hand over the Sea Diglett Manjū box they "stole". While Roy denies them having stolen anything, Liko agrees to share one and opens the box. This, however, ends up only making Coral even angrier, because she had wanted the box due to it being a limited item, meaning that opening it has completely ruined its value for her.

Ash: What's the good of food if you can't even open the box to eat it?

Enraged, she sends out her Glalie and removes her disguise, allowing Liko and Roy to recognize her as a member of the Explorers. Liko wants to call Friede for help, but Roy feels ready to battle on his own, as his Fuecoco has a type advantage over Glalie. Before the battle can begin, though, Sidian and his Garganacl enter the scene as well, much to Coral's annoyance. Noticing the children from the Rising Volt Tacklers, he feels ready to battle them. Coral immediately claims Roy as her opponent, so Sidian settles on challenging Liko, leaving her in disbelief of how a box of Sea Diglett Manjū could've led them to this situation.