Sorry this took so long everyone! I now have Halo 5 Guardians, Halo Reach, and the Master Chief Collection! I was talking with a fellow writer, DragonsRule18 and showed her some designs. She and her husband are appearing in a Fireteam alongside my character.
As a challenge from now on, I will be hiding lines from J.T. Machinima's "Angel by your Side", "The Reclaimer", and "Back in the Ring" along with Dan Bulls "Epic Halo 4 rap", and ReadyUpLive's"Requiem Awaits". Try to find them all :)
Pokemon: Training into Hell
Chapter 3: Fair Winds and Storm Clouds
Location: Petalburg City. Time=18:00
Norman Maple watched with his wife, daughter, and son as the Team Rocket Blimps and Helicopters fled the Hoenn Region. His Slaking looked up at the retreating figures with disgust at their actions, but its eyes held a hint of pride at the fact it helped drive the threats away. May stood with her Glaceon and Blaziken panting slightly after the last minute battle before they fled. She recalled her falling out with her rival Drew, who told her to flee when the invasion started. She and her brother had traveled alongside Ash, and her former fear of Pokemon had been replaced by a love of them. She couldn't leave them to suffer...
Plus, contests and leagues WERE closed with the invasion going on across the regions.
Norman's phone started ringing and he answered it on speaker phone, thinking it was a League Official needing his help elsewhere and wanting to let his family know where he was going. Hoenn Champion Steven Stone did appear on the phone screen like expected, but what he said wasn't.
"Team Rocket is retreating from Hoenn." He said, making the maple family blink in surprise.
"What?! Why?" Norman asked in shock as Max and May glanced at each other, a spark of hope in their hearts.
"Trainer Ash Ketchum has been...reassigned. He did a lot of damage to an important base in Viridian City. Thus, they are pulling out of Hoenn and reinforcing Kanto." Steven said, making May clench her fist and yell "Yes!"
"Reassigned?" Norman asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I got contacted from Professor Oak and his...employers...at the United Nations Space Command. He was drafted into something called the 'Spartan IV (4) program' which is basically a Super Soldier program. The little information the later could provide me with is that he is a member of Fireteam Comet that participated in some big event known as the "Requiem campaign". I don't know what it was, but a LOT of Spartan IVs took part in it." Steven said, "Hold up, I'll send you a picture."
The screen then went from Steven's face to a 6' 10" man in imposing gray and blue Gen2 Mjolnir ENFORCER armor (Halo 4 variant). May and Max leaned over to look at their friend and gasped at the image of the soldier covered head to toe in armor. Then Max broke the silence.
"I wonder if it gets hot in that armor?" The new trainer said, his Treecko making a sound of agreement.
May let out an annoyed groan. "Seriously? We haven't heard about him in three years and THAT'S the first thing you ask about him?!"
"I did manage to hear one thing about the program. Some instructor yelling a speech at new recruits." Steven said, before a playing of a recording echoed. "You are Spartans now. You stand side by side with your Spartan brothers and sisters. You march into battle together-you do not charge ahead. You do not grab glory for yourself. Spartans don't have rank because Spartan is your rank. You are naturally superior. We have made you better. You are Spartans now. Start acting like it." The recording cut off after that.
"Made you better?" May pondered, "How can a person be 'made' a better soldier?"
"From what he told Professor Oak, Augmentations." Steven said, "Harder bones, less need for food and better processing of it, better breathing, better eyesight and reflexes...a LOT of things were done." He winced, "I bet it's painful."
The Maple family remembered the young trainer and winced at the image.
The phone call ended quite abruptly and the screen went dark before Norman closed it. May stared at the phone, recalling the picture before a determined look spread across her face.
"Dad...I'm going to help Ash in Kanto!"
Viridian Forest: 18:30
Viridian Forest was as dark as it had been when he was ten. Pidgey, Catterpie, and Weedle moved around like they owned the place; which technically they did. Ash paused and released Lapras, Charizard, Boldore, and Ho-Oh. Ash moved over to Ho-Oh's side and gently felt its left wing with his hands. "Fracture isn't too bad from what I'm feeling, but it keeps you grounded. When we get to a safe location, I'll get supplies to get you a splint to help heal your wing."
His Pokemon watched this interaction with awe, as it wasn't everyday you saw a human talking to a Legendary Pokemon.
"Once we get you healed up, I'll let you go." Ash said, and the legendary Guardian of the Skies shook it's head, "But...why? Your duty to the world..." It just lowered it's head and gently bumped it against his chest armor. Ash tentatively reached up and stroked the feathers on it's head, causing it to let out a pleased call. Of course, Ash's Mjolnir was working and data-basing the Pokemon Language to soon develop a translator, and that was being broadcasted to a database in the UNSC. Ash nodded and recalled Ho-Oh to not aggravate it's wing. He looked around quietly, flashlights on his helmet turning on without a sound. "Keep an eye out. Anyone Rocket soldier can be present. They've been attacking Cerulean, but why not Pewter? It doesn't make sense." Ash said. Charizard let out a pleased grunt and Boldore let out a sound of agreement as Lapras made a concerned sound. Ash held up Lapras' poke ball, and it nodded, signaling Ash to recall it. Once it was put away safely, a rustling got Ash's attention. Out of the bushes, a teen in Samurai armor leaped while swinging a katana down at him.
Beneath his visor, Ash's eyes widened and his heart thumped in his ears. The teen was replaced by a tall, bipedal, tail-less lizard-like creature wielding a two bladed sword made of plasma. Ash squared up and tightened his fists, ducking under the sword and grabbing the wrist holding it while turning, tossing the teen onto his back. The vision of the Sangheili faded to see the samurai-clad boy rubbing his head.
"Your armor doesn't fool me, Rocket Scum!" The teen said and Ash lowered his hand, which instinctively reached for his DMR.
"It's been a long time, Samurai of Viridian Forest." Ash said, crossing his arms, "I haven't seen you since I beat your Pinsir with Metapod." The teen blinked his eyes and stood up while keeping the sword pointing at the ground.
"Ash?" He asked.
"Affirmative. What's the situation?" Ash said, voice hardening while his muscles tensed.
"Not much. We occasionally get Rocket members, but they use fear rather than strength. Usually some grunts trying to 'toughen up' their Pokemon". The Samurai said, slightly shocked by Ash's tone.
"Well, I did damage to a base in Viridian, so hopefully that will stop them for a while." Ash said. Raising his right hand; Pikachu, Boldore, and Charizard tensed. Then he made a motion to move forward, not even sparing a glance back at the samurai.
Once he felt a good distance away, Ash spoke up. "Remember what I told you about alien threats Pikachu?"
"Pika..." The electric mouse Pokemon quietly let out a sound acknowledging him.
"I had to get away...I...I had a...flashback from the war when I saw his sword strike. I almost gunned down a civilian! That is unacceptable." Ash said, and Pikachu climbed onto his shoulder and tapped Ash's helmet, like he was trying to console him. "The Elites, or Sangheili. They like to use swords of superheated plasma hot enough to cut through nearly anything."
Pikachu shuddered at that description and watched as Ash rubbed the left side of his waist. "(Did you get hit by one Ash?)" A teenage boy's voice echoed in Ash's helmet and he froze, turning to look at Pikachu.
"Could you repeat that?" Ash asked, his mouth wide open under his helmet.
"(You're holding your side. Were you hit?)" Pikachu asked, the voice coming from his Pikachu.
"Pikachu...the translators in this suit deciphered the Pokemon language...I...I can understand you!" Ash said, and Pikachu looked at his best friend with wide eyes. "To answer your question, yes, but it was a glancing blow. Left a scar though."
"(You and your tendency to risk your life for others.)" Pikachu said, shaking his head while Boldore and Charizard chuckled at the interaction.
"Hey, it got you to work with me, didn't it?" Ash said, approaching light at the end of the forest. It was amazing how faster one could travel when not in a long battle of cocoon Pokemon followed by hiding from angry bee Pokemon.
"Here we are...Pewter City..." Ash said, recalling Charizard and Boldore into their poke balls and hefting up the DMR and gazing through the sights "All clear." Ash said, holstering the gun on his back. Doing a small jump, he slid down the ledge to Pewter city from the Viridian Forest. He glanced around and moved forward into the gray city, taking in the "city of stone". People stared in terror as they saw the armored figure carrying guns on his back and his leg. Whispers spread across a forming crowd as he stopped and glanced around.
"Spartan Ketchum of the UNSC. I've been assigned to battle the threat of Team Rocket." He said, watching the people look at him hopefully. Ash glanced at the looks, smiling under his helmet, "I've already foiled an assault on Pallet Town and damaged a base in Viridian City."
"Ash?" A familiar voice said, and he turned to see Brock standing in a doctor's uniform. He reached up and took off his helmet.
"Brock! It's been years since I last saw you!" Ash said, and Brock took in the sight of the Gen 2 Mjolnir ENFORCER armor, the black bodysuit going up to the back of his head and up to his chin.
"And look at you. Isn't that suit heavy? How are you carrying it?" Brock asked, gently tapping on the metal shoulder-pad as he walked up.
"Augmentation" He whispered to Brock, "It's how I can wear a 1,000 pound Titanium battle armor."
"A THOUSAND POUNDS?!" Brock hollered in shock, "THAT'S INSANE!" Ash shook his head and put the helmet back on.
"So I see you're a Pokemon Doctor." Ash said as he pulled Ho-Oh's poke ball from his belt, "I rescued a Pokemon from the Team Rocket Base, but it's got a fractured wing."
Brock's expression hardened, "Those scum..." He whispered, "Follow me, I'll get everything set up." Ash nodded as he placed the poke ball back on his armor and followed Brock to the Pokemon Center. Once in there, he placed Ho-Oh's poke ball into Brock's hand. Brock gazed at the poke ball with a stern expression. "Ash...I know how hard it is for you to see a Pokemon hurting." He said, and Ash said nothing as he just glanced at him. His fists clenched and his visor hid any emotion on his face. Brock took a glance at Ash's fists and gave him a reassuring smile. "Why don't you go outside and look around." Brock suggested. Ash said nothing, just nodding as he stood up and walked outside as Brock took Ho-Oh's poke ball to the back to work on the Pokemon.
He glanced around the city, recalling the memories he made here, before a helicopter flew overhead as Ash pulled off the DMR and gazed through the scope. "Rocket." Ash said, watching it change and head towards the direction Celadon was in. He stood with his gun raised as he followed it's path. "Do I shoot and risk injuring any innocent Pokemon or hostages?" With that, he let out an angry sign and put away the DMR.
"(Ash)" Pikachu said, "(It will be okay! We'll fight back as always!)"
"Yeah." Ash said as he clenched a fist, "We will."
"(Do you...want to talk about it?)" Pikachu asked.
"It's...It's just..." Ash sighed and Stroked Pikachu behind the ears "I gave up three years of doing what I love to protect everyone. I spent so long away from home...I subjected myself to the Spartan-IV program and faced the horrors of war...and here Team Rocket is doing what I was preventing from happening...conquering and genocide. Yeah...I know about the innocent trainers and Pokemon killed by the admins...It's like what I went through was for nothing!" He said, slamming a fist into a nearby rock and shattering it.
"(All you can do is to keep pushing on through this obstacle. It's what we've always done.)" Pikachu said, rubbing his head against Ash's helmet.
"Pikachu..." Ash said, trailing off as the truth of those words sank in. He could see a Paris-Class UNSC Frigate arrive over the town with a sound similar to a thunderclap. "And anyways, this time we've got military support as well!" He finished, recalling the fact there was still a Frigate over Pallet Town.
Three Spartan-IVs stood on a Strident-class Frigate. One wore a moss green and sapphire blue GEN 2 WRATH ANHUR Mjolnir with the yellow Saturnine visor. The second wore blue and coral orange GEN 2 RECON Mjolnir with an Autumn visor, the yellow orange reflecting the color of fallen leaves. The last was wearing red and pineapple yellow GEN 2 VIGILANT class armor, with parts of it mixing the two colors to appear orange. His looked like a suit formed out of the colors of fire. He had a cyan colored visor.
"It isn't the same without Comet Leader." The WRATH ANHUR armor clad spartan said in a man's tenor voice.
"He's fine Andrew." The Spartan-IV in RECON armor said, a soothing woman's voice coming from it.
"We haven't been separated this long since becoming a Fireteam, Jamie." The now identified Andrew said, "What are we doing away from him Wes?"
The Spartan-IV clad in VIGILANT armor turned to face Andrew. "Our Mission right now is to go to Ash's hometown of Pallet and ensure that a base slash armory is set up. Once we have a place to create ammunition for weapons and safely take on and off our Mjolnir, we will rendezvous and group up again with him." Wes took a breath and glanced back out a window. An Earth-like planet drew closer and closer.
"I'm kinda jealous of him." Wes said as Jamie held his hand, "He accomplished colossal feats on that planet before becoming a soldier."
"And those Pokemon." Andrew added as the ship started entering atmosphere...
"ASH!" A teenage woman's voice called and Ash turned to see a familiar face running towards him. She wore orange and green shoes with black spandex shorts under a pair of white shorts. She had a light green bag behind her with the strap around her waist. There was an orange spaghetti strap shirt with a black undershirt. Her brown hair had a light green bandanna tied as a headband with the ties pointing upwards. Her blue eyes shone with relief at the sight of him (May's ORAS outfit in Pokemon Emerald colors).
"May?" He asked, as he stood up straight, making May slightly gasp at his size in person. "What about Hoenn? Your family? Are they safe?"
"Relax Ash, after you damaged the Team Rocket Base in Viridian, they pulled out to strengthen Kanto." May said, rubbing the metal on his chest-plate.
"How do you know that?" Ash said, eyes narrowing under his helmet.
"This group...what was it...U.N.S.C...called the Leagues recently." May said, and Ash's shoulders slumped as he relaxed.
"PikakaPi!" Pikachu exclaimed, hopping into her arms as Ash heard him yell out May's name.
"I missed you too Pikachu! You and Ash!" May said, letting Pikachu nuzzle into her cheek. She then looked at Ash "I could see a lot of the damage from the plane...I'm sorry you came home to this."
"Well then, Team Rocket better call me the Reclaimer...because I'm taking back this world from their control." Ash said, gazing at Mt. Moon in the distance. May smiled slightly, remembering her journey with Ash through Hoenn and the Kanto Battle Frontier. She frowned as he just kept staring and then glanced at her.
"So...does it get hot in your armor?" She asked, not knowing what to say and then mentally berating herself for such a stupid question.
"Not a bit! Temperature is regulated in this suit, allowing us to move underground, in the desert, underwater, intense volcanic regions, arctic regions, and even the vacuum of space." Ash said, tapping some armor on his right leg above his SAW. Ash then stared at May as he tilted his head slightly, "So...why are you here? Not that I don't appreciate seeing you."
"I'm here to help!" May said, "I know I may focus more on contests, but you taught me the basics of working with Pokemon, so it's time to return the favor! Heck if it wasn't for you, I'd still be terrified of Pokemon." She held out her hand and Ash looked at it. She started getting nervous that he'd reject her offer, but then he grasped her hand, and she felt the material and metal making up the Mjolnir.
"Affirmative." He said, and she stared into her reflection on the GEN 2 ENFORCER's visor. "No giving up now."
"Affirmative!" She responded with a wink.
Ash just patted his shoulder and Pikachu leaped from May's arms onto his shoulder and he made a motion with his hand for May to follow him.
"I bet you went through a lot..." She said, some moroseness seeping into her voice as they walked along.
"Of course...Even saw and heard some strange things." Ash said, heading back towards the Pokemon Center.
"(Strange how?)" Pikachu asked the same time May did.
"There are these aliens called Unggoy. We call them Grunts due to their position. They're about six feet tall with stumpy legs and long arms, making them hunch over. They have beady yellow eyes with a circular mouth. They carry gas-filled backpacks leading to their helmets leaving their mouths open to talk and eat easier, but their planet has a methane atmosphere, so they need those backpacks to breathe." Ash said, reminiscing. "Chatty little things. There was a..split in a group, making that species both with out allies and enemies. They're mostly followers, not leaders."
May and Pikachu tried picturing one, but were having a little trouble doing so.
"I had one in the enemy group literally freak out when he saw the Spartan armor. Yelled that I'd kill him, snap off his arms and use them as maracas." Ash said.
"Maracas?" May asked with a deadpan expression.
"Yeah...they're a little strange." Ash said as Pikachu sighed while chuckling slightly.
"Oh by the way Pikachu! Someone wants to say hello!" May said, pulling out a poke ball. She opened it and her Glaceon landed with its head held high.
"(Hi Pikachu!)" Glaceon said in a teenage girl's voice.
"(Hi Glaceon!)" Pikachu responded while waving his hand from Ash's shoulder.
"(Wow! Your trainer's so tall now!)" Glaceon said, marveling at Ash's armor and size.
Pikachu smirked slightly "(And his armor lets him understand us now!)" He said, and Glaceon stumbled slightly at that announcement.
"Thank you translation software." Ash said as he stroked Pikachu's ears, "Now Pikachu don't tease your friends."
"(Sorry Glaceon.)" Pikachu said, as the group approached the Pokemon center. May took out a decive and stood next to Ash once inside as she put Glaceon on her left shoulder and stood to Ash's right. She winked and gave a peace sign to the device as she pressed a button and a camera shutter was heard.
"Now to send this to mom, dad, and Max." She said, as Ash stared at the device with a little humor.
He glanced out the window towards Mt. Moon again, as he picked up a dog tag from around his neck and clenched it in his fist. "Team Rocket...Reclamation..has started!"