What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Over the Top!

Friede and the kids arrive at the gates of the Pokemon League. Ash and Pikachu gaining a wave of nostalgia, remembering all their countless attempts of the past.

"So, why are we here again?" Dot asked, her legs tired from all the walking.

"Because," Friede started, "It's the only way to get into Area Zero, plus we need Geeta's permission."

Just then, the gates open, and out comes Geeta, Penny, Rika, Poppy, Larry and Hassel. Rika eyes the group in curiosity, "Why do you want to go into Area Zero?" She asked.

Liko steps forward, "Briar's told us that Lucius's Entei could be in Area Zero! We need to Pagogo to befriend it so they can reach Laqua again!"

Geeta nods "Yes, and Briar has shown me the information she's found." Geeta paused, "SO after some consideration, I'll allow Ash and Friede entry into Area Zero. You three will need to stay behind."

"What?! Why?" Roy asked.

 "Area Zero is filled with dangerous Pokemon from the past and future. Only powerful trainers and researchers can hadle themsleves down there." Geeta stated, "We call them, Paradox Pokemon."

"That sounds awesome!" Ash exclaimed, making Dot elbow him to read the room.

"But, we're strong trainers too! We can handle outselves!" Liko countered.

"Is that so?" Geeta asked, "Well, I'll have to see for myself. If you three can get past me, I'll grant you permission into Area Zero."

Liko tenses up, the fact setting in that she's gonna battle Paldea's Top Champion. Roy and Dot walk up beside her, detemination in their eyes, ready to battle. Liko takes a deep breath, "Alright, you're on."

The group move up to the top of the League's tower. Hassel acting as a referee, Ash and Friede watching on the sidelines alongside Penny and the rest of the Elite Four. The three kids send out their Starter Pokemon, whilst Geeta sends out her Glimmora and two Glimmet. Making Ash perk up at the new Pokemon.

"Who's That Pokemon?" Ash said, scanning a Glimmet with his Rotom Phone.

"Glimmet, The Ore Pokemon, a Rock and Poison Type." Rotom spoke, "It absorbs nutrients from cave walls. The petals it wears are made of crystallized poison."

Ash moved on to Glimmora, Rotom's voice quickly returning "Glimmora, The Ore Pokemon and the evolved form of Glimmet. A Rock and Poison Type. Glimmora's petals are made of crystallized poison energy. It has recently become evident that these petals resemble Tera Jewels."

Roy blinked in confusion "But, I've never seen those Pokemon before, but they have Pokedex entries?"

"Simple," Geeta responds, "These Pokemon are found only within Area Zero, and since you're fighting to get into Area Zero, I thought it was a nice fit."

Dot thinks for a bit, "If they're Rock Types, then Quaxwell's Water Moves should be weak to them! And if they're Poison Types, then they'll be weak to Crocalor's Stomping Tantrum! So let's lead with that!"

Roy and Liko nodded, "Right!"

Crocalor starts with a Stomping Tantrum to a Glimmet, but the Glimmet dodges by rasing it's speed with Rock Polish. The two Glimmet soon become mighty fast and protect Glimmora. The three starters try to attack up front, but Glimmora uses Dazzling Gleam to block off their attacks and blind them. Allowing the Glimmets to attack with Power Gem.

Gimmora prepares another Dazzling Gleam, but Crocalor uses Disarming Voice to quickly hit both Glimmet, which Ash and Friede mark as a smart move. Quaxwell then charges to Glimmora to use Liquidation. Gimmora quickly protects itself with Spiky Shield, hurting Quaxwell instead. This gives Floragato an opening to hit with Sucker Punch, which lands. But the phsyical attack actiates Glimmora's Toxic Debris, spreading Toxic Spikes on the battlefield and poisoning the Starters. Liko, Roy & Dot try to come up with a new strategy, but Glimmet see the opening and follow up with Venoshock, hurting the Paldean Starters further. 

"Well, if Dazzling Gleam won't let us see, then maybe we should do what we did against Kleavor!" Roy suggested, keeping details vague in front of Geeta.

Liko and Dot perk up, realizing what Roy's talking about. "Oh yeah! Good idea, Roy!" Liko replied

Glimmora unleashes another Dazzling Gleam, seeing a supposed opening. Blinding the Starters again, this time Floragato uses her ears and dodges both incoming Power Gem attacks from the Glimme. using her vine to trap them. Giving Crocalor an opening to hit them with a super effective Stomping Tantrum.

Ash lets out a hearty cheer "Yeah! Those are my friends! Woo hoo!"

Geeta looks to the World Monarch, still keeping a calm demeanor "Oh, I wouldn't get too excited, World Monarch. Glimmets, Memento!"

Ash's eyes widen, "But wouldn't that..."

The Glimmet do as told, lowering the Starters Attack and Special Attack, then fainting. As Geeta returns the two, Friede and Ash share a surprised look.

"She was willing to sacrifice two of her Pokemon?" Friede observed.

"She's gotta have some killer strategy with Glimmora if she's willing to do that!" Ash added on.

Liko looks to Roy and Dot "Geeta's seems to adapt to everything, she'll use anything to win. So we need to go all out!"

"Right!" said Roy and Dot.

"Well, I can't let you rely on brute force, now could I?" Geeta noted.

Glimmora tries to use Mortal Spin, but Floragato interupts it. Glimmora quickly switches to Spiky Shield to protect itself instead. Liko then has Floragato hit Crocalor with Sucker Punch, shocking everyone.

"Look, I know this looks bad..." Liko panicked, shrinking under the glares and surprised eyes, "But I have a plan! Trust me! Roy, have Crocalor use Stomping Tantrum, and you'll see!

Roy hesitates, but looking into the girl's eyes. He nods "Crocalor, Stomping Tantrum, now!"

Crocalor obeys, dealing major damage to Glimmora. Surprising everyone once again.

Ash snaps his fingers, "I got it! Liko wanted to interrupt Crocalor's attack, so that way Crocalor's next Stomping Tantrum would deal extra damage to make up for Memento! Great job, Liko!"

"Thanks, Ash!" Liko replied, looking back to the Pallet Town native, then turning back to her other friends. "But a strategy like that won't work again, so we gotta go in with full force!" 

Roy and Dot nod, Geeta spots what their planning and nods as well. Terastallizing Glimmora into a Rock type, as Liko, Roy and Dot Terastallize their Starters.

Floragato tries to fire off a Magical Leaf, but poison kicks in. Allowing Glimmora to fire a Tera Blast at her with no issue, Crocalor and Quaxwell quickly up in, blocking the hit with Flamthrower and Water Gun. The Tera Blast proves to be too strong, however, knocking them out.

Glimmora closes in on Floragato, ready to unleash one last Tera Blast, but then Floragato's Overgrow kicks in. Liko sees this boost as their last chance to get into Area Zero. Commanding a powerful Magical Leaf. Glimmora counters with Tera Blast, causing the moves to clash and blinding everyone in a colorful explosion.

When the dust clears, everyone sees Floragato barely standing, while Glimmora lays on the battlefield, defeated. Liko's eyes widen at the surprise at beating a champion. Ash also looks to Geeta, a part of him doubting her strength. Geeta looks back to him and winks, making Ash understand. That wasn't her full power, but of course, those three aren't on their level yet, Ash had to admit.

"You three have done well." Geeta starts, "It appears I was wrong, you three do have the ability to survive in Area Zero. So I hereby grant you three access."

Geeta has Penny lead the five down to the Zero Gate. She and Dot share one last look before she walks off. The gate opens, revealing the giant hole of the Great Crater. Friede sends out his Charizard and he and kids ride atop it, Charizard descending into the depths.