It's practically midnight. The sky is dark, with stars hidden behind an invisible veil of smog. Even the moon is hazy in that way it always is when viewed from the city; but that's okay. Celestial lights aren't necessary to see. Not tonight.

The open air stadium (a generous description, for the small ring and the stands around it) is lit by countless lights strung up on temporary scaffolding. Large LCD screens flash with loudly colored, shifting logos. This indie production is doing its best to illuminate the night singlehandedly.

"Thank you for joining us here in Mauville for another night of --" an announcer shouts from center stage, practically eating his mic, before pausing to press a hand to his ear. The small crowd roars in a way that belies its size. Makes them sound several times larger.

"MAUVILLE NIGHT RAW!"

"Tonight we have a special show for you! A new main event: Ringside Pokemon Tag Team! The rules are simple! Both wrestlers will be allowed one Pokemon who may heighten their skills with supporting moves. No attacking moves! No status ailments! They must use their partner Pokemon for nothing but increasing the potency of their own special techniques!" The announcer explains to ooh's and aah's from the audience.

"Now, without further ado! I'd like to introduce our first wrestler. A new face, but one you might know from her debut performances this weekend on our city's streets: The Magnificent, Marvelous Mimien!"

One of the LCD screens lights up with flashing images. A clown dressed in intricate clothes. The same woman bowing between two gesturing Mr. Mime. Flashes of juggling and dancing and laughing. All set to the tune of "Ha, Ha, Said the Clown".

As the music continues to play Mimien reveals herself, cartwheeling out from an entrance beneath the screen.

Excited clapping greets her, but soon is upgraded to out and out cheering as she begins to backflip -- first on the ground and then up into the air. The cause? Her Mr. Mime, who comes through the same entrance with her eyes glowing and her hands swirling in front of her. Crafting LIGHT SCREENS to invisibly support her trainer.

The backflips move Mimien forward and higher through the air until she is above the ring itself. She pops onto her hands and then goes spinning down off a screen some ten, fifteen feet in the air; but when she lands with little but a bend in her knees you'd never think it had been that high.

She leans forward and, with a bright smile that splits her face and forces her eyes into squinting crescents, waves to the crowd as she waits for her opponent.

mission
priam conrad

☉