What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Dot and Nidothing

The group  is on their way to Levincia, and Ash, Liko and Dot notice how happy Roy is that he passed his test.

Ash: Makes sense, that was his first major win.

Liko tries to give Dot confidence before being notified about a new Nidothing video that Dot scheduled in advance. Liko, blushing, asks Dot if any of her videos would be filmed out and about, and Dot denies it. Roy calls the others over to show that they've arrived in Levincia.

In the city, Roy says it looks just as awesome as always. Liko turns Floragato's attention to a Sprigatito billboard, asking if it takes her back. Dot contacts the Rising Volt Tacklers to tell them that they've arrived in town. Murdock tells Dot that he got some of the sweets from Patisserie Soapberry for her and the others. Iono greets everyone and presents Wasabi sauce. Roy wonders if they could see her before the Terastal course, but Dot says she's busy and doesn't have that kind of time. However, to they're surprise, Iono is right there at the dock waiting for them, revealing that it was her who showed it to the Rising Volt Tacklers. Murdock hands out the sweets he got from his part-time job, thrilling Ash, Liko and Roy. Everyone enjoys the sweets as Friede, Ash, Liko and Roy talk about how the Terastal course is going. Iono then asks Dot for a favor.

Everyone heads out to the dock, which is lit up by a circle of Tadbulbs. Iono tells Dot that her Terastal tests are shown on livestream, ready for the rehearsal battle. As lots of Rotom Phones surround a nervous Dot, Iono wants her to battle like this rehearsal is the real deal. She then chooses Roy to be her opponent. Liko notices how nervous Dot is acting before the battle begins. Fuecoco starts off with Flame Charge, which scores a direct hit on Quaxly. Dot is about to give a command, but gets distracted by the cameras of the surrounding Rotom Phones. Fuecoco scores another direct hit on Quaxly with Stomping Tantrum, followed by a slew of Flamethrowers, all while Dot is too anxious to give any commands at all, resulting in her defeat. Ash & Liko see how Dot isn't acting like herself. Iono asks Dot what's wrong, and she says that she couldn't concentrate with all those cameras pointed at her. Iono understands and takes the phones back before giving Dot the advice to put on a good show in a Terastal battle. Dot finds it hard to believe that she can't have that kind of battle as herself and not Nidothing.

On the Brave Olivine, Dot looks at her Nidothing suit before picking it up. Roy talks with Liko about Iono's offer to let Dot battle in her Terastal test as Nidothing. Liko wonders if Dot is okay with it, saying that Nidothing and Dot aren't the same in terms of personality. Ash suggests that they'll just have to wait and see. Liko gets notified about a Nidothing livestream, becomes shocked to see that it's being recorded on the Brave Olivine's upper deck. Nidothing announces something big coming up, leading Roy and Liko to think that Dot accepted Iono's offer. Nidothing is about to come out and say it, but after a moment of silence, she says that it's coming up soon.

Dot is in town wearing her Nidothing costume and filming Quaxly and Tinkatink eating churros from Smooch-A Churro. Ash, Liko and Roy are watching her from a bush, Liko noticing Quaxly not as into it as Nidothing. Nidothing continues to do her thing, getting several people to record her as Quaxly becomes more disappointed. Dot takes off the Nidothing suit in an alley and checks the response. Ash, Liko and Roy find her and point out how much fun she was having. The cameras don't bother Dot when she's Nidothing. Liko and Roy ask her if she's planning on battling as Nidothing during the Terastal course, and Dot says that she got Iono's permission. Liko, starting to feel uneasy, asks Dot if that's what she wants as Tinkatink finds a sleeping Varoom on a crate. Liko thinks Dot was forcing herself in the act, and Dot is quick to nervously deny it. Just then, Dot notices an annoyed Quaxly dragging the Nidothing costume away. Dot tries to get it back, but Quaxly stands in her way. Liko questions Dot again about battling as Nidothing, and Dot, overwhelmed once again, insists that her decision is final.

The kids see Tinkatink being attacked by Varoom. Roy has Fuecoco use Flamethrower, and Varoom leans to the side to avoid it. Varoom then glares at Fuecoco and revs up, scaring the Fire Croc Pokémon. Tinkatink starts crying, forcing Dot to recall her back into her Poké Ball. Varoom charges at the group, only to have the Nidothing suit land on top of the Single-Cyl Pokémon as it speeds away with it. The group follows Varoom to the city's central square, where it confronts them in front of everyone. Dot again becomes nervous at everyone breaking out their cameras to record the scene. Quaxly charges in and gets knocked back by Varoom. Dot sees Quaxly's determination, but still can't fight with all the cameras out. Quaxly uses Pound, but it's vision is blocked by smoke from Varoom, leaving it open to be rammed again by the Single-Cyl Pokémon. Seeing Dot and Quaxly struggle, Ash, Liko and Roy run in to help, only for Dot to stop them and join Quaxly. Dot commands a Water Gun, which Varoom dodges with rapid movements. Quaxly reminds Dot to keep her focus away from the cameras. Finally taking her mind off the cameras, Dot commands Quaxly to use Water Gun over and over. As Dot pays attention to Varoom's movements, it charges again, only for Quaxly to toss it aside with Low Kick and leave it open for one last Water Gun.

Varoom gets back up, but this time, it has calmed down and warm up to Quaxly. The people watching are amazed by Dot's performance as Iono announces that she will facing Dot in the Terastal course and it will be livestreamed. Dot remembers the Nidothing costume, only to see that it has vanished. Ash, Liko and Roy carry the Nidothing costume into the ally, just as Dot comes over and thanks them for grabbing it. She then apologizes to them before saying that the cameras didn't bother her when she was battling with Quaxly. This battle makes Dot think that she's earned some respect from Iono and decides to take the test as herself, which amazes Ash, Liko and Roy.

Suddenly, Ash gets a call from Director Clavell

Ash: Hey Director, what's up?

Clavell: Master Ash, I'm sorry to say that Grusha is heading out for a training and won't be back for a while, you'll have to head to Glaseado right away in order to challenge him tomorrow.

Ash: Oh, I understand, I'll start my way there as soon as possible.

Clavell: Thank you.

Ash ends the call

Ash: Sorry Dot, I can't see your battle, I have to head to Glaseado

Roy: What? Why?

Ash: Grusha's gonna leave to train, if I don/t challenge her tommorrow Arceus knows when will be the next time I can, and Glaseado is a long wat from here, so I have to leave, now.

Liko: We understand Ash.

The four share a fistbump

Ash: I promis, right after I beat Grusha I'll come right back

Ash starts tto run off

Ash: And when we meet again tell me all about the batlle, don't leave out a single detail!

Pikachu: Pikachu!