It's been a long time since my last update, but rest assured I'm continuing this, and today with a double upload of chapters 10 and 11. In case you've forgotten what's happened, here's a recap:

Kris trained with Misty to battle against Ash, and Ash deeply injured Kris and Quilava. Misty returned to Cerulean City and Kris decided he wanted to follow, but not without Jule as a tag-along. Along the way to Saffron City they run across a circus, ingeniously named "the Chingling Brothers" ^.~ and rescued an abused Ralts named Rally with an unusual ability to evolve and de-evolve at will. Now they're in Saffron City, and Kris's first stop is the Underground.

Chapter Ten: Mind Over Matter Part 1

The crowd filling the Underground arena roared as their champion had made another victory. The tall woman with long black hair stood in the center of the arena, a face void of emotion as she stood next to her yellow Psychic Pokemon holding two silver spoons.

So that was the power of a Psychic Pokemon, Kris thought as he stood in the stands, having seen the amazing power of that Alakazam. It had taken control of the fight from the get-go, using its telekinetic abilities to stop the rampaging Rampardos in its tracks, tossing it from side to side, and slamming it into the ground without breaking a sweat.

Kris stood from his seat and headed up the stairs to leave the arena. After watching that display of power, he had no idea how Quilava would even stand a chance against a Pokemon like that. There had to be a way though, and he would figure it out before they finally head on to Cerulean City.

The sun was against Kris's back as it came over the horizon. The campsite outside of Saffron was in view, and he could see that Jule was already awake. She sat in front of the fire that had small flames still eating at what was left of the firewood.

"Good morning," Kris said as he got closer to the camp.

The sudden greeting had startled Jule. She smiled at Kris as she said, "Good morning! You got up early?"

"Nah," Kris said as he sat beside Jule. "I never went to sleep. After you passed out I headed to Saffron and watched some fights in the Underground."

"Anything interesting?"

"Besides not having a chance of beating them? Not really."

"Well I'm hungry. What are we doing for breakfast?"

Kris looked over at the Pokemon still sleeping soundly next to the fire. "I think we should let them wake up then head into town."

"But won't they be spotted?" Jule wondered.

"Not a problem, actually," Kris said with a grin. "There are tons of trainers just walking around with their Pokemon. Saffron is mostly controlled by Team Rocket, and even publically promote their Underground battles."

"How do they get away with that?"

Kris shrugged. "Team Rocket has a lot of power, I suppose."

"Well, I'm sure Rally will fit in fine if they're mostly Psychic types. I can't wait to check things out!"

With backpacks and Pokemon in tow, the duo of preteens wandered the streets of the surprisingly crowded Saffron City. It wasn't this bustling during the early morning that Kris had checked things out, but with the sun high overhead, all shops were open with plenty of customers coming and going.

Jule could feel her face reddening as Kris held her hand, dragging her through the streets. She held Rally securely in her arms, and Quilava followed very closely at Kris's heels.

"So where is this place?" Jule finally asked after a few minutes of feeling lost.

"Well, it's a lot easier to find without so many people," Kris called back over the noise of the city. "I'm pretty sure it's this way!"

And he was right. The entrance was decorated in a gothic style, with the words Saffron City Underground Arena lit up in a blue neon. Kris remembered it looked much more intimidating in the darkness. He dragged Jule along and they started heading beneath the earth.

The corridor heading downstairs was elegantly designed. Electric torches lined the walls, all connected by silver and gold garland.

"Interesting décor," Jule said.

"Yeah, but it's a great change from the rundown arena in Celadon."

The passage didn't end at an arena like Jule remembered from Celadon. Instead they were greeted by a crowd of people, mostly looking to be trainers, in an enormous shopping complex. Vendors and other shopkeeps were shouting out to promote their merchandise, from PokeDolls to bicycle decals, and potions to the "extremely rare and valuable Magikarp" – although Jule knew better than that.

"Awesome place, huh?" Kris said as he continued to lead her through the crowd.

"It's a bit overwhelming, really," Jule replied, feeling Rally shake with anxiety in her arm. "So where are we going?"

"There's a Pokemon doctor over this way. I want her to look at Quilava and see if he's ready for any battles yet."

"There's no way! You've been pushing him so hard lately, Kris. He really needs to rest."

"Rest is for the dead, right buddy?" Kris beamed down at his faithful partner who gave him a yip of enthusiasm.

"Ralts," Rally said glumly, conveying the same worry Jule had for her new friend.

"You tell 'em, Rally," Jule said.

Kris and Quilava exchanged exasperated looks about the girls ganging up on them. Kris stopped suddenly at a large door that towered over them. Above the door was a neon sign that shared the same gothic design as everything else. The sign merely had a large "P" on it.

"This is the place," Kris said as he led the gang inside.

The interior was very spacious, and even more so with the lack of people inside. There were a few trainers occupying the benches and sofas, looking to be waiting for their Pokemon, but it was nowhere like the outside of the Center. A large counter stood in the center of the room, with a pink-haired woman standing on the other side, looking at her computer.

"Excuse me," Kris said as he walked up to the woman.

The pink-haired woman looked up with a large smile on her face. "Yes, may I help you?"

Kris picked up Quilava from at his feet and sat him on the counter. "I was hoping the doctor could look at my Quilava. He was hurt about a week ago, and I want to make sure he's doing better."

"I'm the doctor," the woman said as she stood. "I'm Dr. Joy. What happened to him?"

"We're from Celadon City," Kris explained. "We fought in an arena match and he suffered a bad cut on his shoulder. We don't have any Pokemon doctors in Celadon."

"I see," Dr. Joy said with a nod as she looked over Quilava briefly. "I hear the Celadon fights can be quite brutal. Too bad most of the Joys won't have anything to do with the Underground. But not to worry," she added with a wink, "I'll have him good as new. I'll take him for some time and give him a thorough check up."

"Thank you," Kris said.

Quilava quickly looked to his trainer with eyes of worry as the doctor picked him up. Kris smiled and said, "Don't worry, buddy, you're in good hands. I'll be right here waiting for you." Even with his words of encouragement though, Quilava couldn't help but give a yelp of uncertainty as he and Dr. Joy disappeared into one of the back rooms.

"So what now?" Jule asked as they walked away from the desk.

Kris shrugged. "Not sure." He looked down to Rally still in Jule's arms. "I wonder if Rally should have a checkup. After all she'd been through, and not to mention to find out about her strange ability to evolve and de-evolve."

"No way!" Jule said defensively as she held Rally away from Kris. "I'm not leaving poor Rally with a stranger after the experience she had with the circus. She'd be terrified!"

"I suppose, but still …" Kris paused as he looked over Rally. "A Pokemon that can change forms at will is extremely rare—non-existent even. She could be the only one to ever do it."

"That still doesn't make her a guinea pig for others' prodding."

Kris put on a large grin as he said, "You're right. Some mysteries aren't worth solving."

Time passed slowly as they waited for Quilava. The Pokemon Center began to fill up with more trainers as the day went on, possibly preparing for the fights later that evening. Kris really wished that Quilava's checkup would be done so he could join the fights.

Kris sat on a sofa with his legs spread out in front of him and his arms crossed. Jule sat next to him, leaning against his shoulder, her head bobbing up and down as she fought to stay awake. Rally was in her lap, having already passed out.

"Ugh, this is taking too long!" Kris blurted out suddenly, alerting both Jule and Rally. "When is she going to be done with Quilava?"

"Take it easy," Jule said calmingly. "There's a lot of others here now. Maybe she just got really busy?"

"We were here first. She should just get done with us first before going to someone else."

"Maybe Quilava's in worse shape than you thought? You'd been pushing him pretty hard. There's a chance he may not even be able to battle again."

Kris's eyes grew wide. He hadn't thought about that. What if he can't battle again?

With perfect timing, Dr. Joy called out, "Your Quilava is ready."

Kris saw Dr. Joy with Quilava at the desk. He looked much better, even with a large smile on his face. Kris quickly rushed up to the counter with Jule and Rally making their own way up.

"How ya doing, bud?" Kris said to Quilava, and the Pokemon returned with a joyful nod.

"That's a very nasty wound on his shoulder," Dr. Joy explained. "Whoever stitched him up though did remarkable work."

"That was me," Jule said. "I'd been changing his bandages every few hours and everything to make sure it would heal faster."

"You did a good job," Dr. Joy told her. "Well, it may be another week before you can take his stitches out. But there's certainly no way he's ready for battling anytime soon."

Kris's smile quickly faded. "Are you serious?"

The doctor nodded. "Any extraneous activity could cause it to open up. Just take it easy for now, okay?" She scratched Quilava behind the ears and he gave out a sound almost similar to a purr.

"All right," Kris said in defeat as he lifted Quilava off the desk and turned to walk away. As he turned he bumped into a kid not much older than him. Kris staggered backwards for a second before his gaze dropped on the older boy.

"Watch where you're going," the boy said curtly.

"Why you gotta stand so close?" Kris cut back.

He examined the boy briefly. He had messy black hair with an almost purple tint to it, wore thick glasses much like Jule, and a thin, gray long-sleeve shirt and black denim jeans. He had eyes that seemed to pierce right through Kris, gazing into his soul.

The boy adjusted his glasses as he studied Kris as well. "You know, kid, you're not even worth my time."

"What's that?" Kris said, gritting his teeth in anger.

"Kris, don't!" Jule said, grabbing her friend by the arm. "You can't go picking fights here. You don't know what he's capable of."

"I'm not scared of Four-eyes," Kris said. "Bring it on if you think you're so tough!"

The boy caught Kris off guard as he raised a hand, his fingers spread out and arched as if he was holding a Pokeball but he held nothing. A devious look came across his face. "I wouldn't even need to touch you," he said.

"That's enough, Spencer," a cold voice cut in. The arguing boys looked to the side to see a tall woman with long black hair walk up to them. "I've told you before not to use your powers outside of class."

The boy, Spencer, lowered his hand and muttered softly, "Yes teacher."

"Now do what you have to do and leave these kids alone," the older woman said.

Giving Kris a threatening look, Spencer walked passed him up to the counter to talk to Dr. Joy. The woman looked back to Kris and Jule. "Please excuse my student's behavior."

"It's fine," Jule said brightly. "I'm glad you made it in time to stop a fight."

"Oh it wouldn't have been a fight. Your friend there would be in great mental agony right now if I hadn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I've got it!" Kris blurted suddenly as he snapped his fingers, interrupting the two girls talking. "I knew I saw you before! You were in the fights last night. You're the Arena Champion."

"Really?" Jule said, shocked.

"Yeah. Her Alakazam is amazingly powerful. Not to mention she won the fight without ever giving a verbal command. She used like telephony or something."

"Telepathy," the woman corrected. "And you're correct, I am the Arena Champion, Sabrina."

"Wow," Jule said. "You must be amazing."

Sabrina bushed as a big smile suddenly appeared on her face. "Well, I'm not that great, but I suppose I've got talent."

"Then it's settled," Kris said with a determined look in his eyes. "I'm going to beat you before we leave Saffron."

"What?" Jule exclaimed, looking to her best friend in such bewilderment she thought her jaw might fall off. Even Quilava looked to his trainer with such uncertainty. The Champion gazed into Kris's eyes, trying to read him.

"You have a long way to go before beating me," Sabrina said, her smile fading as her face became emotionless once more. "There's many before you after my title. And to be direct, I don't think your Quilava will put up much of a challenge."

"Oh yeah?" Kris said, clenching a fist. The fire began to burn even brighter in his eyes now. Even Quilava, taking offense to the comment, yipped loudly, just as eager as his trainer to prove himself. "Give Quilava time to heal up, and I'll give you the fight of your life, Sabrina!"

Sabrina beamed down at Kris, a hint of a smile forming once more on her lips. "I like that look in your eyes. When you're ready, sign up for the Arena. Maybe you'll get your chance."

She began walking away until she noticed something. Her gaze fell upon Rally being held in Jule's arms. Sabrina's face lit up once more with a wide smile. "Oh, your Ralts is so adorable!" she gushed suddenly.

Jule smiled in embarrassment, as did Rally. "Well, thanks," Jule said. "I just got her recently."

Sabrina placed a gentle hand on Rally's head. Kris noticed her childlike expression over Rally's cuteness slip suddenly, but she tried to save face. He wondered what was happening between them as time seemed to freeze with Sabrina just holding a hand on the Pokemon's head. Were they connecting telekinetically, or whatever that word was?

Finally the Champion removed her hand and stood straight, becoming a stone cold wall once more. "You have a very good Pokemon there. Take care of her."

"Of course!" Jule said.

The two watched as Sabrina walked away and out of the Pokemon Center. Jule turned to Kris and said, "She's a bit of a character, huh?"

"Yeah," Kris said slowly, still pondering over the interaction with Sabrina and Rally. He shook his head vigorously and said, "Well, time to get back down to training! We got a week to prepare before Quilava can fight again. You ready, buddy?" He looked down at his partner. Quilava barked loudly with just as much eagerness.