Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or Halo

It had been a week since Arceus had left Darkrai, John, and Cortana and there were definitely some changes. John learned to shift from Lucario to human, Cortana had mastered her massive psychic abilities in less than three hours, and John could use aura equal to that of a master.

John had found some Pokeballs earlier and managed to put him, Darkrai, and Cortana in their own after Darkrai had to explain their purpose and how to use them. It had been discovered that John's armor had turned into his Lucario skin and that he could manipulate his shields as well as his aura.

All three stood on the coast of Newmoon Island watching the boat come in and all boarded, though there was some apprehensiveness due to Darkrai, Cortana, and John's appearance.

Once the three reached Canalave City John returned Darkrai and Cortana and headed directly to the gym to inquire about the gym circuit. When he got there was only a man leaning on a statue present.

John walked up to the man and asked, "Do you know where I can ask about the gym circuit?"

The odd man looked up and said, "Why would you want to know?"

John answered, "I would like to challenge the circuit."

"HA!" was the man's reply. "If you do want to challenge it though then just walk into the gym and go challenge the leader. I warn you though it would not be a good idea to take on this gym first but if you think you can do it go ahead."

John walked off and towards a red-haired man with a shovel. He was just a little smaller and less muscular than John.

The man said, "I am Byron the Steel-type gym leader. Are you here to challenge me? If you are then I warn you about my impenetrable defense!"

John merely nodded and took position opposite of Byron on a battlefield. John and Cortana had earlier been explained the rules of a pokemon battle so that is how John knew so much.

John then yelled across the field, "Is this battle in anyway recorded or watched?"

Byron Looked curious before saying, "No, not that I know of but why would you ask that?"

"I have a very unusual team."

"Well then let's get down to it!"

Byron threw up a Pokeball while yelling, "Let's go Bronzor!"

John only raised his hand and let out Darkrai who cackled at the sight of a Psychic type.

Byron looked only slightly fazed but yelled, "Bronzor use Iron Defense!"

John just stood there and said, "Darkrai, prepare for a combo move."

Bronzor looked to get stronger while Darkrai looked more focused.

Byron the said, "Use Gyro Ball!"

Bronzor raced forward spinning and when he was close to Darkrai John said coolly, "Dark Charge Beam.*"

Darkrai unleashed his combo move before Bronzor could hit him and fired the powerful attack nearly knocking out the Bronzor.

Byron had a surprised look on his face but said, "Bronzor use Flash Cannon."

Bronzor fired it quickly and Darkrai dodged instinctively but was hit along his right side.

John stood there unaffected by Darkrai getting hit which greatly unnerved Byron.

John then said, "Jump into the shadows and fire numerous Charge Beams."

Darkrai did just that and Bronzor had no time to react as he was hit ruthlessly from everywhere by Charge Beams. Bronzor dropped to the ground knocked out.

Byron returned Bronzor and the let out a Bastiodon who gave out a mighty roar.

John said, "Darkrai, sit this one out."

Darkrai moved to float beside John who let out Cortana. Byron raised his eyebrow at Cortana's color but gave no other indication of intimidation.

Byron then said, "Bastiodon use Iron Defense!"

Bastiodon did as Cortana psychically talked with John.

'Chief, what do you want me to do?' John relayed his plan to her while giving the Bastiodon a cold, calculating look.

Byron then said, "Bastiodon use Take Down!"

Bastiodon raced forward to hit Cortana but was electrocuted, only not by Cortana. Byron wondered what happened until he saw sparks all throughout the air and Cortana showing the telltale signs of using Psychic.

Byron gave a laugh before saying, "So you're making static electricity? That won't stop Bastiodon!"

Bastiodon gave a different answer as he keeled over from being a living lightning rod.

John then said, "Finish it."

Cortana then loosed a Psychic that knocked out the Bastiodon.

Byron looked shocked but he quickly recovered saying, "You beat Bastiodon. Well I still have one more left."

Byron the returned Bastiodon and let out a Lucario.

John then said, "Cortana sit this one out."

Cortana moved to be beside Darkrai as John stepped into the arena and shifted into his Lucario form.

Byron and his Lucario gaped but recovered quickly with the Lucario saying, "I was hoping for a challenge."

Byron did the unpredictable next and said, "Lucario you're in charge! Take him down!"

Lucario raced to John intent on a Force Palm and he hit … John's shield.

Lucario was shocked but was even more when John delivered a roundhouse kick which sent Lucario flying.

Lucario then fired an Aura Sphere once he landed and John copied his move. The two Aura Spheres met in the middle and neutralized each other leaving a lot of smoke.

Both Lucario combatants rushed forward using their Aura Vision to exchange blows with each other. The smoke cleared shortly to find both using Close Combat. John was much stronger and faster but only limited himself somewhat to not kill his opponent.

When the two pulled away from each other both could be seen with large bruises. Lucario raced at John with an Iron Tail which John defended himself with a Metal Claw. They stayed frozen in place trying to get the upper hand when John let some more strength into his defense which threw back Lucario.

Both charged up and fired Aura Spheres and had the same result as earlier until John was seen powering up a powerful attack. John let out a Hyper Beam which Lucario barely missed with a Detect. While John was frozen in place Lucario came forward with an Iron Tail and scored a hit on John's ribcage.

The result shocked everyone as it was Lucario's tail that broke under the stress due to John's carbon-reinforced skeleton.

Lucario backed off only to see an Aura Sphere come for him. Lucario then used a Bone Rush to redirect the Aura Sphere back at John. John braced for the attack and took the sphere and was hit again by Lucario coming in with a simultaneous Bone Rush and Close Combat.

John took quite a few hits but was able to block or dodge most. John then lunged with a Metal Claw and struck Lucario's head on causing Lucario to stumble backwards. Both looked at each other and came at each other with Bone Rushes. Then both pulled a fast one and used Extreme Speed(pun intended) to boost themselves and they disappeared momentarily.

They reappeared behind each other facing away. John relaxed as Lucario fell to the ground from exhaustion.

John shifted back into his human form as Byron returned Lucario and came forward to John.

"Well, I now know why you wanted this battle secret and what's more you won. I gladly present you with the Mine Badge."

Byron then handed over the badge to John who put it in one of his pockets. John turned to leave until Byron said, "By the way did you use to work in the mines? You have the build of someone who has."

John didn't turn around as he replied, "No, I'm just a soldier who has seen more than his fair share of action."

With that John took his leave with Cortana and Darkrai close behind him.

Byron gained a new respect for John and then sent out a message to his fellow gym leaders:

There is a new trainer coming around. A soldier to be precise.

Better start making those white flags.

A/N: Lucario is awesome! He deserves to be in more than one gym and the Pokemon League. *Dark Charge beam is a Dark Pulse and Charge Beam.