What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Following Traces of Laquium

Greninja and Dot, who communciates with the group through Roy's Rotom Phone. Leads the trio of trainers to a Johto Canyon.

"Alright, you two see if you can find any sign of Laquium from above." Roy said to Kilowattrel, who took Crocalor and took flight.

"Oh, I think I've got a Pokemon that could help!" Ash suddenly said, pulling out a Poke Ball. "Swellow! Help search the area!" And just like that the graceful Hoenn bird joined Kilowattrel and Crocalor.

"Woah, Ash, you've got a Swellow?" Roy looked on in amazement.

"It's so pretty..." Liko observed dreamily.

Ash chuckled, feeling a sense of nostalgia. "Yeah. My friends and I were fighting over who got the last chocolate bar, when a mighty little Tailow swooped in a stole it right before our eyes!" Ash sighed, "Feels just like yesterday..."

Suddenly, Greninja perks up. "You sense something, Greninja?" Dot asked, Greninja nods and sprints off into the distance. The three trainers quickly follow, coming across a portion of the canyon littered with giant holes.

The three trainers get on their knees and insepct the holes, finding pink mist within them. "Looks like a Laquium Sign." Dot mused through the call. The ground begins the shake, throwing the kids off balance. The kids scramble out of the hole and see a mighty Steelix bursting through a faraway hole. 

The Steelix locks eyes with the kids before burrowing into another hole, "Well, retreating's out the window." Dot sighed, "Be careful, Steelix's got a high Defense. So you should create an opening for Kilowattrel and Crocalor."

Ash suddenly gets a battle plan going hin his head. "You're right Dot. But Crocalor isn't the only Pokemon with a type advantage."

Ash opens another Poke Ball, releasing Cetoddle. Which recognizes Liko and Roy and gives them adorable hugs.

"Hey Cetoddle!" Liko giggled as Cetoddle hopped on her head, "Good to see you again!"

"Good choice Ash." Dot observed, "But how is Cetoddle gonna get a hit? It's pretty small."

Ash simply smiled at the Rotom Phone containing Dot's image before looking up to the sky. "Hey Swellow! Mind giving Cetoddle a ride?" And just like that, Swellow quickly lands to pick up Cetoddle with her talons and takes flight once more.

Ash then pulls out two more Poke Balls, "And for ground control..." One Poke Ball pops open to reveal Lucario, as expected. Then, from the other, out comes Infernape, which Liko and Roy think is super cool.

"Woah! Isn't that the Infernape you said you had back at Kabu's gym?" Liko asked.

"Yep!" Ash said proudly, "A rival of mine didn't want his Chimchar anymore, so I took him in."

Liko and Roy send out Hattrem and Roy's own Lucario while the two Pikachus sit on the side since their Electric moves wouldn't be effective. Both Lucarios bring their paws to the ground, using their Auras in unison to direct the others two the next hole Steelix will pop out of.

Meowscarda, Greninja and Infernape bolt as soon as the Lucarios give the direction. Being to trap the Steelix as soon as it comes out of the ground. Allowing Swellow and Kilowattrel to swoop down so that Crocalor and Cetoddle can use Flamethower and Powder Snow. Steelix spots them and tries to prepare a counterattack. Hattrem steps in and stops it, but the struggle causes the three starter Pokemon to lose their grip and Steelix burrows away once more.

"Alright, now I've got an idea." Roy said, "Ash, let's use Kilowattrel and Swellow to lure Steelix back out."

Ash nodded, "Right!"