What If Ash was in Pokemon Horizons?

Koraidon & Miraidon! The Great Paldea Race!!

Ash, Liko, Roy, Dot, Ult and Navi wander through the Paldean streets as Cyclizar's face dons every booth they come across. "Woah, is this some kinda Cyclizar festival?" Dot asked.

"It's the 103rd annual Cyclizar race." Raifort approached them, "Every year we celebrate the bond between trainers and their Cyclizar."

"Hey Miss Raifort!" Liko greeted, "Long time no see!"

Raifort smiled, "It's great to see you kiddos again. How about I treat yall to some ice cream?"

"Navi wants some!" Navi exclaimed.

"And who's this little one?" Raifort asked.

"This is Navi, our newest member." Ash explained.

The group then sits on a bench nearby an ice cream cart holding cones donning their favorite flavors. Ash spots Nemona nearby, facing away from them. "Hey, Nemona!" Ash called out, but she doesn't respond before walking off. Ash turns to the others, "I'm gonna go catch up with her, be right back!"

Ash chased after Nemona, quickly losing her in the crowd before wandering into the nearby forest. Ash turns to leave before hearing a rustling sound nearby, he walks towards the source of the noise and finds a large scarlet-colored Pokemon donning feathers atop its head and two circular shapes resembling wheels on its body.

"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash pulled out his Rotom Phone, scanning the Pokemon.

"No data available." The Rotom inside stated.

The Pokemon pers up at the sounds, spotting Ash and waddling over to him. The Pokemon quickly sniffs Ash and Pikachu as an inspection. "Well, you look kinda like a Cyclizar." Ash theorized, "Does Cyclizar evolve into you?"

The Pokemon spots the ice-cream cone in Ash's hand and tilts its head. Ash smiles and hands it out to it. "Here ya go, bud. It's all yours!"

The Pokemon smiles and gobbles up the sweet treat in an instant, making Ash laugh. "Woah, you were really hungry, weren't ya?"

Ash perks up as the sound of numerous footsteps gets louder and louder, soon numerous Cyclizar pass them whilst riding on a nearby pathway. "Huh, looks like the race started."

The Pokemon perks up before donning a similar posture to the Cyclizar, it charges into Ash and Pikachu as it quickly begins to run after them, forcing Ash and Pikachu to ride on its back.

Ash quickly finds himself right behind the swarm of Cyclizar as another Pokemon colored in violet and donning more technological features, yet looking similar to Cyclizar appears beside them. The wheel-shaped bumps on its body acting as actual wheels as Liko anxiously holds on for her life.

"Liko?!" Ash exclaimed, "What are you doing here?!"

"I think I can ask you the same question!" Liko responded.

"I was just following Nemona and then I found this Pokemon, and then it wanted to join the race!" Ash recounted.

"Ult spilled his ice cream on me and I went to go clean off." Liko explained, "And then I found this Pokemon and it wanted to be in the race too!"

"It seems that two more racers have entered with Pokemon that look similar to Cyclizar!" A familiar voice said over the intercom, "And it looks like those two racers are my friends! Hello Ash and Liko!"

"Is that Hassel?" Ash asked.

"Sounds like it!" Liko responded.

Both Pokemon continue running straight ahead as the Cyclizar make a sharp turn, Ash and Liko brace themselves as the Pokemon jump off the nearby cliff, the feathers on the scarlet-colored Pokemon's head expand allow it to glide. Neon-colored panels emerge out of the violet-colored Pokemon's head and allow it to glide as well. Both Pokemon eye each other as they land before stand on their hind legs and allowing Ash and Liko to fall onto the ground.

"Well, I've never seen a Cyclizar do that before." Ash remarked as he and Liko stood up.

"That's cause those aren't Cyclizar." Raifort said as she arrive alongside the other Rising Volt Tacklers. "Those are Koraidon and Miraidon, the past and future Paradox Pokemon of Cyclizar. And it looks like now that they've seen each other, they're gonna want a battle."

Both Legendary Pokemon shift into their Apex Build and Ultimate Form respectively and exchange attacks before the sun suddenly glows brighter underneath them. "Looks like Orichalcum Pulse kicked in." Raifort observed, "That's Koraidon's ability."

Koraidon and Miraidon continue attacking each other before sniffing the air. They approach Ash and Liko with open mouths as they begin to pant. Ash reaches into his backpack and pulls out a sandwich. "You guys must be hungry." Ash theorized.

The two Pokemon gobble up the sandwich instantly before shifting into their respective Limited Build and Low-Power Mode and driving Ash and Liko back into the race. Quickly passing the other races before beging right behind Team Dragon Rampage and their Cyclizar."

"Oh hey guys!" Ash greeted, "Didn't know you were in this!"

Koraidon and Miraidon quickly surpass Team Dragon Rampage and near the finish line, Hassel leans into the microphone ready to declare the winner.

"There you are!"

The Legendary Pokemon suddenly halt to a stop, making Ash and Liko fall onto the ground as Team Dragon Rampage cross the finish line. The trainers look up to see a boy clad in a Naranja Academy uniform glaring at the two Pokemon. "What have I told you two about wandering outside? I don't want more people to know you exist!"

"Hey, be nice." Ash scolded.

"Stay out of this, World Monarch." The boy snapped, "This is personal."

"Hey, are you a student at Naranja Academy?" Liko asked. "You're wearing the uniform."

The boy huffed, "The name's Arven."

"Well Arven, I don't think you should talk to your Pokemon that way." Ash glared.

Arven sighed, "Look, I saw you guys do your Tera-Training. Those battles were pretty awesome and I respect you guys a ton. So please, mind your own business when it comes to someone else's Pokemon and their problems." Arven turned back and glared at the Legendary Pokemon and pulled out two Master Balls. "As for you two, back inside!"

Arven recalled both Koraidon and Miraidon before storming off, Raifort and the others approach Ash and Liko as Team Dragon Ramage claim their trophy. "That's odd." Raifort declared, "Arven's usually a sweet boy, sure he likes to keep to himself, but he's got a kind heart."

Ash and Liko shared a look, hoping to meet again with the Legendary Pokemon they befriended.

A/N: I decided to have Ash take Roy's role in the episode since his goals lines up more with Liko's. (Ash wants to befriend all Pokemon, Liko wants to understand the feelings of Pokemon)

I know some fans weren't happy with the episode, so I decided to give the ending a little twist. I understand the real HZ implies that the story of Scarlet already happened, but I plan to do things a little differently.

Even if I don't adapt them in the fic, I wanna do my best to imply that the stories of S&V, their DLC's and Legends ZA haven't occurred yet.