What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Showdown! The Paldea Elite Four

The trainers gather at the courtyard as Director Clavell stands before them, "Welcome back, students. I'm happy to see everyone had passed their Basic Tests. Before I assign the next assignment of your Tera Training, I have an announcement. I have arranged a series of friendly battles against special guests for you all to participate in."

Geeta enters the stage, "Those special guests are the Paldea Elite Four of course."

The students erupted into cheers, "So cool!" Ash beamed.

"You will team up with the Gym Leaders you battled against in friendly Tag Battles," Geeta explained, "First up will be Dot and Iono against Poppy.

The three trainers enter the battlefield and send out Quaxly, Bellibolt, Copperajah and Tinkaton. Iono makes the first move with Discharge, though it ends up shocking Quaxly as well and doing next to nothing against Poppy's Pokémon. Copperajah uses Sandstorm, which surrounds the battlefield and buffets Dot and Iono's Pokémon while doing nothing to Poppy's Steel types. Tinkaton leaps forward with Gigaton Hammer, but Bellibolt uses Reflect to soften the blow. 

"We've got some protection!" Iono said, "Dot, you gotta strike!"

Quaxly nods and uses Water Gun, followed by Liquidation, though Poppy's Pokémon shrug off the attacks like they're nothing. Tinkaton then smashes Reflect with Brick Break.

Copperajah and Tinkaton strike with Rock Slide Rock Smash respectively, sending a barrage of rocks raining onto their opponents. Bellibolt protects Quaxly with its body, but is hit repeatedly, draining its energy. As the sandstorm fades, Bellibolt uses Slack Off to heal itself. 

Dot spots Quaxly dancing in place, motivating itself, "Quaxly, dance on Bellibolt's stomach!"

Quaxly does so, activating Electromorphosis. Tinkaton leaps in with Gigaton Hammer, and Bellibolt responds by using its belly to launch Quaxly high into the air to avoid the attack. Dot Terastallizes Quaxly into a Tera-Water Type and he fires off a boosted Liquidation. The attack clashes with Tinkaton's hammer, causing both sides to be knocked back. Bellibolt used the distraction to get onto Copperajah's back, allowing it to land a close-range Zap Cannon. Copperajah collapses, thus resulting in Dot and Iono being declared winners. 

"Congratulations!" Poppy praised before noticing that Dot is faking her smile, "What's wrong, lady?"

Dot stiffened at the fact such a young trainer could notice her emotions, "I just feel like Iono did most of the work."

"You're thinking too hard!" Poppy said bluntly, "I wanna battle you again someday."

Roy and Brassius enter the battlefield next alongside Hassel. Hassel sends out Baxcalibur and Flapple, while Brassius calls out Dolliv to join Roy's Fuecoco. The battle begins as Fuecoco uses Flame Charge. Avoiding an Ice Shard from Baxcalibur while Dolliv blocks Flapple's Acid Spray with Seed Bomb. Fuecoco's attack is able to make contact with Baxcalibur, but it only strengthens his opponent.

"Baxcalibur is known to have the ability Thermal Change,which boosts its attack power if it's hit by a Fire-type move." Brassius explained.

Roy sighed, "You couldn't tell me sooner?!"

Fuecoco uses Disarming Voice to switch things up, which deals super effective damage on the two Dragon types. Flapple uses Grav Apple, which reminds Fuecoco of an actual apple, allowing Flapple to deal a clean strike to the head despite Roy's order to dodge.

"You and Fuecoco must be one!" Brassius exclaimed, "Fight with passion!"

Roy smirked, "Flamethrower!"

Doliv uses Helping Hand to power up Flamethrower, Flapple responds by uses Twister, creating a fiery tornado that Baxcalibur dives inside of. Thanks to Thermal Exchange, the tornado suddenly freezes over and shatters, leaving Baxcalibur even more powered up as it uses Glaive Rush again. Fuecoco tries to flee from it, but is unexpectedly saved by Dolliv's Grass Knot making him fall down and out of the attack's path. Doliv and Fuecoco combine Seed Bomb and Flamethrower, which gets blocked by Baxcalibur and Flapple's double usage of Protect. Dolliv prepares a giant Energy Ball as Roy Terastallizes Fuecoco into Tear-Fire type and combines his boosted Flamethrower with the Energy Ball, creating a spectacular display. Baxcalibur uses Blizzard, enveloping the combo move in ice, then uses another Glaive Rush, launching a surprise attack through the ice that defeats both Fuecoco and Dolliv, making Hassel the winner.

While Liko talks with Katy, Ash is approached by Grusha,"Ready for our battle against Larry, World Monarch?"

"As I'll ever be!" Ash exclaimed.

Larry suddenly approaches them, straightening his tie and keeping his facial expressions blank. "My face may not say it, but I'm looking forward to this as well, good luck kid."

Larry and Ash shake hands, ready for the battle that awaits them.