Never in John's Life has he attempted to physically harm a Pokemon because he sees them as essential Creatures as he does with Trainers and non-Trainers. Tobin and Crystal acknowledge this in John since he's a Special Kind of Trainer. One who can literally Shape-shift into a Pokemon and use Pokemon Moves even as a Human. But he doesn't like to show them off in public and only to People whom he trusts. However, John will be angered if his Friends, Family, and/or the Pokemon (His own or Wild Pokemon) are threatened. He will not hesitate to utilize his Nautrual Abilities of a Pokemon that he can change into but only if the threat is greater than a Basic Pokemon Battle. Team Rocket, for example, could threaten to take over Unova, starting with Opelucid City. John would lash out in a rage that targets only the Grunts, Admins, and Giovanni himself. But if he's forced into a Pokemon Battle, he'll change into a Pokemon but never act as a Wild Pokemon. He can't be captured with Pokeballs and he's rather hard to take down due to his Natural Abilities giving him the advantage.