What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Dot and Nidothing

The trainers arrive in Levincia and quickly spots the adult members of the Rising Volt Tacklers. "What are they doing here?" Roy asked.

"Uncle Murdock was getting on my back about what my Basic Test." Dot sighed, "I caved and told him."

"DOT!" Murdock rushed up to her and hugged her tight, "I grabbed some sweets from the Patisserie Soapberry for you and your friends to share!"

"Well, looks like I'm stepping in on a viral reunion!" Iono walked over to them, "I gotta borrow everyone for a moment, c'mon!"

Ash pouted, "But we were about to get sweets!"

Iono leads them to the center of the city, various cameras and microphones circle the area. "As you should know, Iono only battles for the camera. So your Basic Test is gonna be streamed! But first we gotta have a rehearsal!" Iono begins directing people, "Roy I need you up against Dot, everyone else to the stands!"

Ash and Liko sit down as Fuecoco strikes Quaxly, Dot seems ready to give Quaxly commands, but freezes up upon seeing the many cameras on her, the real her. "Hold up, time out!" Iono said, "Dot, bestie, what's on your mind?"

"I..." Dot began, "I just can't focus with all these cameras on me, I've never been on the camera as just Dot, y'know?"

Iono smiled, "Well if that's the case, I have an announcement! Dot here shall take her Basic Test as Nidothing!"

Liko raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

Iono grinned, "Duh! If Dot can't battle as Dot, then she should totally do it as Nidothing!"

The trainers spend the night in the Brave Olivine, Ash and Liko settle into their shared cabin, "Liko, you go something on your mind?" Ash asked, "You've been off since the rehearsal battle."

"I just don't think Dot doing her test as Nidothing is a good idea." Liko admitted, "Dot and Nidthing are totally different people. At least with their personalities."

Ash shrugged. "I get ya, guess we have to wait and see."

The next day, Ash, Liko and Roy watch Nidothing stream around the city as preparation for the Basic Test. "Guess Quaxly's not into it." Ash remarked, noticing how Quaxly's eagerness seemed more forced compared to Tinkatink.

The trainers move into an alleyway shortly after for a quick break, Dot peels the costume off, "Woof, that suit can get hot." she remarked.

"But you seem to be having fun." Ash observed.

Dot smiled, "Yeah, I am."

"But are you actually gonna do your Basic Test as Nidothing?" Liko asked.

"I mean, I got Iono's permission." Dot replied, "So yeah."

"I dunno, you were kinda forcing it." Roy said, "Is this really what you want?"

"Yeah, it is." Dot replied, before spotting Quaxly dragging the costume away, "Hey Quaxly, give that back!"

Dot runs to her Pokemon, trying to tug the costume away from him. "I don't think Quaxly agrees." Ash said, "I mean, he's trying to take the costume away."

"That doesn't matter!" Dot exclaimed, "I made up my mind already!"

The trainers hear a sound and turn around, seeing Tinkatink being attacked by a small Pokemon with wheels. "Who's that Pokemon?" Ash pulled out his Rotom Phone.

"Varoom, the Single-Cyl Pokémon. A Steel and Poison type. It is said that this Pokémon came into being when an unknown Poison Pokémon entered an engine left in a scrapyard."

"We gotta help her!" Dot exclaimed.

Fuecoco uses 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, so Dot recalls her back into her Poké Ball. Varoom charges at the group and everyone runs away to avoid getting hit, causing the Nidothing costume to be sent flying into the air and land on the Varoom and it speeds away.

"No!" Dot exclaimed, "C'mon guys, we're going after it!"

The trainers follow Varoom to the set of the Basic Test, Varoom stops and glares at them. Dot freezes as bystanders begin to pull out their Rotom Phones to record the battle. Quaxly runs towards Varoom and gets knocked back as a result.

"Quaxly?" Dot said, Quaxly looks back and nods, ready to fight for his trainer. Dot grins and ignores the various cameras on her, "Alright, let's do this!"

Quaxly uses Water Gun at Dot's command, which Varoom dodges with rapid movements. Dot pays attention to Varoom's movements as she commands numerous Water Guns. Once Varoom charges towards Quaxly, Dot commands him to use Low Kick, knocking Varoom down and creating an opening for another Water Gun.

Varoom gets up and drives off, the Nidothing costume falls as the wild Pokemon leaves it behind. Dot quickly stuffs it into her backpack as she noticed everyone on their devices posting videos of the battle online.

"You guys like that?" Iono suddenly appeared, drawing cheers from Levincia citizens. "Well there's more where that came form cause Dot here is my opponent for tomorrow's stream! She's taking her Bast Test as part of her Tera Training!"

People cheered at the news and Dot couldn;t help but smile at the praise. "Yes I am!" she exclaimed.

"Does that mean you're takign the Basic Test as Dot." Liko whispered, hope in her eyes.

Dot chuckled, "Yep."

Ash suddnely feels his Rotom Phone vibrating, he pulls it out of his pocket. "You have a call from: Director Clavell."

Ash picks up, "Hey Director Clavell! What's going on?"

"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." Director Clavell said.

"Alright, I understand. I'll start my way there right now!" Ash reassured.

"Thank you." Director Clavell said as he ended the call.

"What was that?" Roy asked.

"Long story, but I have to go battle Grusha now." Ash explained, "I gotta head out, sorry Dot."

"It's fine." Dot smiled, "Just make sure to come back right after, we're still on for walking back to Naranja Academy together."

Ash chuckled, "Alright!"

Ash turned around to see Iono standing there, "If you wanna get to Glaseado Mountain in a jiff, you'll wanna take the Flying Taxi!" Iono pointed to a cart with four Squawkabillys tied to the roof by gentle roping. "Right over there!"

"Thanks Iono!" Ash said as he ran towards the Flying Taxi.