What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Crash! Team Dragon Rampage!

The four trainers emerge from the Pokemon Center the next morning, trying to figure out what to do next. Pagogo pops out of his Poke Ball and begins crawling slowly toward a nearby mountain. Liko snatches him up before he can wonder off, but soon Roy's Rotom Phone floats out of his pocket toward them, Dot's voice filling the area.

"That mountain leads into Blackthorn City." Dot revealed. "Maybe someone found something up there and posted about it."

As Dot researches, Ash feels old memories of Blackthorn coming back to him, "Hey, that's where Clair lives! I actually earned my final Johto badge from her a while back!"

"No way! That's awesome!" Roy beamed, though Uruto had his own questions.

"Wait, isn't Clair the cousin of Lance, as in the Kanto and Johto champions?"

"She sure is!" Ash chuckled, "Lance and I go way back!"

The other three trainers stare at Ash in admiration, of course the World Monarch had so many connections. Before anyone could get a word in, Dot comes back with her info.

"You guys won't believe this, but I just saw a post from a year ago that said they saw a black Rayquaza near a mountain! The date even lines up! It's not too long after what happened at Laqua!"

The trainers gasp, this could be their chance to find the only piece of Lucius left. Uruto's system fills with excitement at the idea of capturing such a strong and powerful Pokemon. "Well, what are we waiting for?!" Roy asked, "Let's get going!" With that, he runs off, the others picking up the pace to catch up.

The trainers run and run up the mountina using all the strength in their legs. The mountain is higher than they thought, however, by nightfall they've only treked halfway up. So they rest near a stream and set up camp. Though Uruto is left confused as to why their stopping.

"C'mon! There's so much more we have to climb! A powerful Pokemon like Rayqauza waits for no one!"

"We've been sprinting all day Uruto," Ash said gently, chuckling to himself, "And Liko and I still have healing injuries, plus we need our sleep."

"Sure," Uruto scoffed, usinging his fingers to make quotes, "Sleep, you sure you aren't gonna ditch me once I shut my eyes?"

Ash rubbed thr back of his head in guilt, "Oh, right, Roy and I did do that, sorry."

Uruto just huffs, "Well, I won't fooled again! I'm going off on my own!"

"You just said you wanted to join us!" Roy yelled in exasperation. Uruto simply glares and stomps off with Sableye, the trio of trainers watches as the hot-head walks in circles, always returning to the campsite.

"Alright, buddy, you've had your little tantrum, now can you help us prepare dinner?" Roy said smoothly, almost smug.

Uruto huffs in defeat and walks over to the fireplace to assist Liko in making dinner: pancakes. Liko and Uruto work in an awkward silence, much to Liko's concern. "So, Uruto, why do you wanna catch the Black Rayquaza?" She asked, hoping for conversation.

"I wanna be the strongest trainer there is, and I'll do that by capturing every strong Pokemon there is, then defeating Mr. Ketchum himself." With that, he and Sableye climb onto a tree, looking away from everyone.

"Leave him." Roy said before Liko could even get a word out asking Uruto to come down. "He'll come down when he's ready."

Liko watches as Uruto stays in the tree, not coming down once. Not when the pancakes are done, despite his grumbling stomach. Not even when Sableye leaves him to feast with the other Pokemon. She's not the only one, Ash sneaks a glance to both boys, sensing tension ever since he first met up with them.