Chapter Nine: Come One, Come All!
Kris and Jule began the new day bright and early. Saffron City shouldn't be much further, and Kris wanted to be there before nightfall again. Quilava rode on Kris's shoulders, still recovering from the fight with Mankey that had almost reopened the wound on his shoulder and aggravated his burns when using Flame Charge.
As the group walked along the path, Kris tried quizzing Jule on Pokemon, hoping to get her into enjoying the creatures as much as he did, and as much as she used to when they were younger.
"You've gotta know something about Pidgey," Kris said, annoyed by Jule's lack of knowledge.
"I don't remember any of that, Kris," Jule pleaded.
"What about that Mankey? Do you even know what its evolution is?"
"Ooh, I know! A Darmanitan."
Kris sighed. So much for getting her to love Pokemon like he does. If she couldn't remember anything that simple then there was no way she would remember anything else.
"How about—" Kris stopped suddenly as he heard a rustling from the bushes alongside the road. He stepped in front of Jule who was unaware of the noise and held her back. Quilava's eyes narrowed, fixating on the spot the bushes shook.
"What's wrong?" Jule asked.
"There's something there," Kris said. "I'm not sure what, but it could be dangerous."
They waited a moment. The bushes rustled more, and a small green and white Pokemon that barely came to Kris's knee tumbled out of the shrubs. It crawled across the ground and stood straight, looking up at the two humans and Quilava watching it. "R-Ralts," it said shakily.
"It's a Ralts," Jule confirmed. "Why would it be out here, though? I thought they were indigenous to the Hoenn region."
Kris glanced back at Jule. "So you remember that, huh?" Jule scratched the back of her head as she giggled and smiled sheepishly.
There was more rustling from the bushes, and suddenly a pack of Pokemon Kris instantly recognized as Growlithe came out and surrounded the little Ralts. The threatened Pokemon looked to Kris and Jule for assistance.
"We gotta help it!" Jule cried.
"On it!" Kris replied as he rushed into the mix. "Quilava, Flamethrower!" From atop Kris's shoulder, Quilava released a burst of flames that made the Growlithe separate. Kris stood next to Ralts and looked out to the other Pokemon.
"Bring it on!" Kris challenged. A Growlithe came from behind, but Quilava immediately turned his head and hit it with another Flamethrower. One nipped at Kris's legs, but he kicked it away.
"Behind you!" Jule warned.
Kris glanced back just in time to see a Growlithe trying to attack Quilava. He quickly spun around, dodging the attack. Quilava let loose another Flamethrower, the flames shooting passed Kris's face.
"Beat it!" Kris told them. The Growlithe stared at him, but slowly they began to back away and retreat back into the bushes.
Jule came to Kris's side with a proud smile. "You did it! That was amazing."
Kris smiled in embarrassment at the praise. "Tell you the truth, I was a bit scared."
Jule knelt beside the trembling Ralts and held a hand out. "Hey, are you okay? Those nasty Growlithe won't hurt you now. You're safe."
Ralts shrank back from Jule, still trembling. Jule placed a hand on the small Pokemon's head and pet it gently. "See? Everything's fine now," she said calmly. The collar on Ralts suddenly caught her attention. "Hey, what's this?"
"A tag?" Kris questioned. "So it is owned. What does it say?"
Jule read the words inscribed on the collar, "Chingling Brothers Circus Ring."
"So it's from the circus?" Kris said. "I wonder if it's still around."
Picking Ralts up into her arms, Jule stood and turned to Kris. "Let's get to Saffron and find out. I'm sure they're missing her."
Kris nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
The sky was a light pink by the time the silhouettes of the skyscrapers in Saffron came to view. It was a long trek, but the weary travelers welcomed the sight. With renewed vigor, Kris darted forward, still carrying the injured Quilava, but stopped as he realized he moved ahead alone. He looked back to see Jule squatting down, still holding Ralts in her arms.
"Hang on," Jule called. "My feet hurt so much!"
Kris walked over to Jule. "You shoulda been exercising with me each morning. Come on, we're almost there."
Jule stood. "Fine, but you're rubbing my feet tonight."
"Not a possibility." Kris turned and walked away.
The two got closer to the city. Bright lights shone in the distance, but not from Saffron. Jule was the one to notice the lights coming just off the beaten path. "What's that?" she said to Kris as she pointed to a large dome shape in the distance, the bright red and white colors visible in the piercing lights.
"It looks like…" Kris trailed off as he studied the view, then smiled once he was sure of his thoughts. "Yeah, it's a circus tent. It must be the one Ralts is from."
"I've never been to a circus!" Jule cried excitedly as she jumped up and down like a kid. "Can we watch the show? Oh please, oh please, oh please?"
Kris shrugged. "I wish I could say yes, but it costs money. And last I checked, orphans don't carry much change."
Jule's excitement disappeared as fast as it came. "Oh yeah, I guess you're right."
Kris started down the path to the circus. "Come on, let's just get Ralts back to her owner and get into Saffron."
"Calm down," Jule added to Ralts who began to squirm in her arms.
"Come one, come all!" they could hear being called through a megaphone. "The Chingling Brothers invite you to come see our amazing attractions, starting soon at the big tent!"
"Looks lively," Kris remarked as they got close enough to see all of the people crowding the front of the carnival. Lights from games could be seen flashing, along with small rides that children screamed from.
"Who do we talk to?" Jule asked.
Kris pointed to the tall skinny man with a painted face holding a megaphone. "I bet he might help us." He went up to the tall man who was in the middle of his "Come one, come all" speech again. "Excuse me, sir," he said.
The skinny man gave Kris a big smile that shocked him at the gesture. "What can I do for you?" he asked in a cheery mood.
"We found this Ralts," Jule cut in, holding the Ralts up in her arms. "She has a collar that says—"
"Rally!" the tall man exclaimed suddenly. He snatched the little Ralts from Jule's hands and gave her a big hug. "There you are! We've been so worried about you!"
"Ralts!" Ralts returned, hugging the man back excitedly.
"So she does belong here," Kris said. He turned on his heels and began walking away. "Glad she's home! Have a good one."
"Hold it!" the man called after him. Kris stopped and turned back. The man handed the Ralts Rally back to Jule. "You two have to return Rally to her owner. I'm sure Charles would be ecstatic to see her, and very generous to her saviors."
"It's the least we can do," Jule pleaded to Kris.
"What about Quilava?" Kris said. "I can't bring him, and I can't leave him."
"It's okay," the man said, brushing off the thought. "You're a Pokemon trainer, right? You're safe with us. We all started as trainers, but had to find new means once the bans came into place. Come on in. I'm Harvey, by the way."
"I'm Jule, and this is Kris," Jule added to her introduction as she saw her friend's reluctance to respond.
"Well come on, let's go," Harvey said as he led the way around the large tent.
Charles Chingling sat behind a desk. He had a large build and rested her face on his pudgy hand. The other fat hand held a phone to his ear. "You still haven't found Rally yet? Then we must do the show without her. Start—"
He cut off as the door to his trailer opened up. Harvey stepped in with an apologetic look. "Sorry to barge in," he said, "but I think you might enjoy this."
Jule and Kris stepped in behind him. Charles' gaze drifted to the small thing in Jule's arms. "Rally!" he exclaimed as he toppled over his desk to reach for the Ralts.
"We found her between here and Celadon," Jule explained as she reached out to hand Rally over. Rally squirmed violently as her master took her.
"I'm so glad to see you!" Charles said as he hugged Rally against his massive bulk.
"Great, you got her," Kris said, "we're leaving." Quilava barked in agreement.
"Wait!" Charles reached for Kris's coat tail and yanked on it. "Do you realize how much this means? I have to repay you somehow."
"I don't care for a reward, Mister," Kris told him. "I just want to get to Saffron."
"I know!" Charles said, dismissing what Kris told him. "How about you two get free tickets for tonight's show? Best seats in the house at that!"
"Really?" Jule's face lit up. She turned to Kris and shook him violently. "Can we, can we, can we? I've always wanted to see the circus!"
Kris, disoriented, looked between the three humans in the room, all looking at him eagerly. Then he looked to Quilava who merely shrugged. Kris sighed.
"They really are best in the house," Jule commented as she and Kris were escorted to their seats in the big tent by Harvey. Front row, right at the center of the three rings. They could definitely get a good view of everything going on right here.
"Please enjoy the show, kids," Harvey said. "I'll see you after to ask how you like it."
"Thanks Harvey!" Jule called as the tall man walked away. She turned to Kris and said, "This is so great, isn't it?"
"Yeah…" Kris said slowly, something definitely on his mind.
The lights suddenly dimmed in the tent, and the boisterous crowd around them fell silent. A spotlight hit the center ring and a tall man, though not as tall as Harvey, dressed in a fancy black suit and Charles Chingling beside him. Both had the bell Pokemon Chingling on their shoulders.
"Welcome, one and all," the tall man said on a megaphone, "to the Chingling Brother's Circus Ring! We have great shows ahead for you all—"
"—including our amazing shapeshifting Ralts, Rally!" Charles finished. The crowd roared with excitement over the information.
"Shapeshifting?" Jule said in wonderment. "What do you think that means?"
"Who knows," Kris said, uninterested.
The show began, starting with an agile Ambipom and Aipom in the right ring, swinging from poles and performing incredible acrobatic tricks that wouldn't be possible without their tails. Jule watched in amazement, smiling all the way as they performed. Despite Kris not being interested in the circus himself, it made him smile to see Jule have so much fun.
The left ring started up. Two human performers rolled around on top of tightly rolled up Donphan, rolling through a maze of obstacles, jumping over and ducking beneath objects without missing a beat. The crowd cheered for them loudly.
The middle ring finally started. Two Pyroar, a male and female, along with the man with Charles from before, appeared. The man cracked a whip, and the Pyroar performed without question. One used Fire Spin to create a ring of fire in the air, and the other jumped through it.
"Isn't this great?" Jule said, shaking Kris as she kept her eyes glued to the performers.
"Yeah, sure," Kris said, uninterested. He looked to Quilava sitting on his lap. Having been uninterested himself, Quilava now perked up to watch the Fire-types. His eyes sparkled in wonderment as the Pyroar both used Flame Charge and circled each other at amazing speeds, creating a large, fiery tornado that shot towards the ceiling of the tent. At the top the Pyroar emerged, still using their Flame Charge.
Then the tent became dark again, with a spotlight set on the middle ring. Charles stood in the center of the ring with Rally at his side. He held up a megaphone as he called out, "Now for the event you've all been waiting for! I'm proud to present to you Rally, the shapeshifting Ralts!" The crowd roared in anticipation. "Now Rally, evolve!"
Kris perked up as he watched Rally. The reluctant-looking Ralts trembled as everyone watched in anticipation. After a curt look from Charles, Rally held out her little arms as wide as she could. A bluish purple glow surrounded her, and her body began to shine a bright white. Before everyone's eyes she transformed into a ballerina-looking Pokemon, Kirlia.
"Amazing," Kris said in awe. "She's able to evolve on a whim…. It's too bad she's just a one-trick Ponyta."
"But isn't she cuter now?" Jule said.
"Now," Charles said, "use Psychic!"
Rally nodded hesitantly. The blue-purple glow wrapped her again. The ground below her began to move and she rose in the air. More platforms moved around her and suddenly burst into pieces that formed a tornado around her. In the midst of everything, the Kirlia began to glow again and her body transformed once more, back into the small Ralts that it was before.
Kris couldn't believe his eyes. A Pokemon that could de-evolve? It had to be a trick. The crowd, however, didn't think twice about it as they roared in amazement.
"That was amazing!" Jule said as she clapped enthusiastically.
The tall thin man clad in a black suit from the beginning of the circus met with Jule and Kris after the show. His Chingling sat on his shoulder, clinging merrily. "So you're Rally's saviors," he said.
"Who are you?" Jule asked.
"I'm the other Chingling Brother, Steven," the man introduced. "My brother wanted to thank you once again for your assistance. He's caught up at the moment, but if you can wait a bit, he has something for you two."
"We'll never make it to Saffron," Kris sighed in defeat.
"Oh come on," Jule said, "we practically saved the show! Let them thank us."
"Follow me," Steven said.
The kids and Quilava, riding atop Kris's shoulders once more, followed the older man to the trailers in the back. The circus crew were caring for their Pokemon who were in the show.
Quilava's head perked up suddenly. Kris stopped and looked around. "You okay?" Then Kris heard it. It sounded like yelling. He continued to scan the trailers, wondering where the source was coming from.
"Kris?" Jule said, realizing that her friend was no longer following.
Steven looked back at Kris as he began to approach a trailer. "Hold it!" he called. "Don't go in there!"
Kris pushed the door open to the trailer and peered in to see a whip cross the room. The whip struck … Rally? Kris burst in to find the one holding the whip was Charles.
"The next time you run away, I'll—" he was saying, but stopped as he saw Kris entered.
"What're you doing?" Kris asked. Jule and Steven stepped in behind him.
Charles held the whip down. "Steven, what are these kids doing in here? I told you to take them to your trailer."
"I'm sorry," Steven said, "he wandered off."
Jule looked to Rally who was kneeling on the floor, a large bruise across her back. "Rally! Are you all right?" she said, rushing to the small Ralts. Rally was happy to see Jule and showed it by giving a feeble smile. She looked to Charles and said, "What's going on here?"
"I caught this low life whipping her," Kris explained.
"This doesn't concern you, kid," Charles said. "Steven, get them outta here."
"No way," Kris said, shrugging off the thin Chingling Brother. "We're not leaving without Rally. I'm not letting you harm her anymore!"
"You think you can take better care of her?" Charles challenged. "I know what kind of person you are, kid. You're obsessed with Pokemon battles, and participate in the Underground all the time, right? How is what you do any different from how I tame them?"
Kris knelt down and set Quilava on the floor before standing again. "It's totally different! I don't forcefully abuse Quilava. We work as a team."
"Some teamwork, if it takes all the damage for you. And from its appearance, it must've been in quite a battle. You let it fight until it's nearly dead!"
Kris's body shook with rage as he removed his jacket. "You think I don't care about my Pokemon? I care for Quilava like my own flesh and blood!" He began pulling his shirt off now. "You wanna see the proof of what I'd endure for Quilava, then check it out!" He turned around, revealing the burn marks that covered his back. "Tell me now that I won't do anything for my Pokemon!"
Charles gaped at the marks covering Kris's back. Kris smirked, knowing that he put the fat loser in his place.
"You think you're different from me?"
"I know I'm different," Kris said as he put his shirt and jacket back on. "Jule, grab Rally. We're leaving."
"Not so fast!" Charles cried as he cast his whip out towards Jule. Shock raced through Kris, unable to act fast enough to stop him from attacking.
The whip cracked loudly, but to everyone's amazement it was Quilava who had intervened. He used Agility to rush in front of the whip and snatched it up with his mouth, stopping the attack completely.
Wasting no time, Kris rushed at the heavyset man and punched him hard in the face, knocking the oaf onto the ground. Kris turned back to Jule and asked, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Jule replied with a nod, holding the shaking Rally tight in her arms.
"Brother, are you okay?" Steven asked, slowly approaching.
Charles sat up, rubbing his red cheek. "You hit me, you brat!"
"And I'd do it again if you ever threaten my friends, including Rally!" Kris threatened. "We're leaving!"
Charles stood. "You're not stealing my Pokemon!"
"Then I'll battle you for her. Quilava and I will take you on!"
"Kris, no!" Jule said warningly. "Quilava is still injured." She looked to Quilava and saw the rage in his eyes, wanting to fight with Kris. "Are you sure, though?"
Everyone in the trailer stepped outside for the rest of the circus crew to see. They gathered around in wonderment. Quilava stood in front of Kris, scratching his paws on the ground in anticipation.
"Call out your Pokemon," Kris told Charles.
Charles held up a Pokeball and tossed it. A Pyroar appeared in a blaze of red. His mane shook back and forth as he stepped forward. Kris gritted his teeth, knowing this would be a challenging fight.
"It's been ages since I've battled, kid," Charles said, "but I guarantee I won't lose."
"Start off with Agility!" Kris commanded. Quilava barked in reply as he moved at an amazing speed toward Pyroar. "Hit it with Flame Charge!"
"Noble Roar!" Charles commanded.
Flames appeared around Quilava as he approached Pyroar. The opponent suddenly opened its mouth and let out a bellowing roar. Quilava flinched slightly, but he kept up the attack and plowed into Pyroar, only to be tossed backwards and skid across the ground. Quickly, though, the smaller Fire type got back to his feet, ready for more.
"Kris, this isn't good," Jule called. "That attack, Noble Roar, lowered Quilava's physical and special attack. He doesn't have the power to take on Pyroar!"
"I'm glad your knowledge is coming in handy," Kris said, "so now we'll find another tactic. Quilava, Smokescreen!"
"Fire Fang!" Charles ordered.
Pyroar raced at Quilava, flames emitting from its mouth. Quilava let out a blast of smoke, but it came too late as Pyroar chomped down on Quilava, catching his hind. Quilava yowled in pain as Pyroar picked him up and chucked him into the air. He landed on the ground and slid up to Kris's feet.
"No way," Kris said, unable to believe that Quilava was losing so badly. "How can a Fire-type attack do so much damage?"
"It must have the Rivalry ability," Jule said. "If it battles a Pokemon of the same gender it gets a boost in attack."
"Woulda been nice to know sooner." Kris's hand shook with fury.
"Give up, kid," Charles said. "If you do, I won't even call the law on you for enticing a battle where I have had to defend myself."
"We're not giving up, right Quilava?" Kris said. He looked to his partner and saw him slowly stand, but Kris knew he couldn't stand anymore attacks like that.
"Takedown!" Charles ordered.
Pyroar rushed at Quilava, ready to finish the fight. Kris could only watch helplessly as the opponent rushed in. Quilava could no longer battle. Everything had gone wrong, and now he would pay. "Quilava!" Kris cried in anguish.
Pyroar stopped dead in his tracks. A bluish purple glow surrounded him, holding him back from attacking Quilava. Kris glanced to Jule and saw Rally, evolved into Kirlia, on the ground, holding her arms up, using her Psychic attack.
"What's this?" Charles said. "Rally, you dare go against your master?"
"It's over," Steven said as he stepped between the two battlers. "Charles, the rest of us have been talking throughout this battle. We agree with these kids. The way you treat the Pokemon we work with is wrong. You have to treat them with kindness or they'll turn against you, just like Rally has now."
The heavier brother glowered at the other. The circus troupe began surrounding him, all with the same look in their eyes.
"We haven't said anything before," Harvey said as he stepped forward, "because we fear for our jobs. But we want no more of this. You continue this, we're all walking, and you'll have no circus at all."
"Kris," Jule said as she moved in on her friend and touched his arm. "It looks like your defiance toward Charles has inspired the others."
Kris nodded. "You're right." He knelt beside Quilava and pet him gently. "When working with Pokemon," he said loud enough for everyone to hear, "whether it's battling or performing, you have to show them they can trust you. Otherwise, they'll turn against you, just like Rally has now."
"Kirlia!" Rally cried in agreement.
Steven stepped up to his brother. "It's time to stop this, Charles," he said. "These trainers are taking Rally so she can live a better life, away from your tyranny, and you won't stop them. You'll have to find a new main event."
Charles spat on the ground. He couldn't say otherwise with the rest of the circus perfomers crowding in on him.
Steven turned to Kris and Jule. "Go ahead, go," he said, "before there's any more trouble here. And please, take good care of Rally."
"We will," Jule said as she scooped Rally back into her arms.
"Thanks for the help," Kris said as he held Quilava up.
"No, thank you," Harvey said. "Without you, we never woulda stood up to him." He moved to Rally and pat her on the head. "Goodbye, Rally, we'll all miss you."
The duo didn't waste time in taking their Pokemon and leaving. Kris didn't want things to go further. Jule was at his heels as they left the circus grounds, heading for the bright lights of Saffron City just in the distance.
The campfire burned warmly for Kris and Jule as they leaned against each other, watching the flames dance. Quilava and Rally were on a sleeping bag together, Rally having returned to her Ralts stage and cuddled against her new friend. They hadn't entered Saffron yet, wanting to wait until it's daylight to take the back roads of the city to keep their Pokemon hidden.
"What a day, huh?" Jule said, disturbing Kris who had almost fallen asleep.
Kris removed his goggles, ready for bed. "Yep. It sucks to keep pushing Quilava so much in his condition, though. At this rate he'll never be in shape to fight the Psychic Pokemon of Saffron."
"We can rest in Saffron a few days. He needs his rest."
"Yeah."
Jule gazed at the sleeping Pokemon. "Well, you could use your new Ralts. Psychic versus Psychic would give you an edge."
"There's one problem with that." Jule tilted her head, confused. "Rally is all yours."
Shock was evident on Jule's face. "Mine? But you battled for her, twice even."
"Yeah," Kris said, "but you watched after her the entire trip. I think she's really fond of you."
"You think so?" Jule looked over to Rally again, snoozing soundly. A big smile spread across her face. "So I've got a Ralts now!"
"Good night," Kris said suddenly as he put his head on Jule's shoulder, and within an instant he was snoring. Her face grew hot as she watched him sleep. Deciding she didn't want to move him, she put her head against his and slowly fell asleep as well.
This was a pretty long chapter and took a while to write. I hope you enjoyed it. They're not in Saffron yet, but they will be with chapter 10, along with what I hope to be a bit of a surprise appearance of a certain character.