Once everyone is in their rightful place, the mysterious darkness that always covers the ring before showtime finally lifts in the form of a spotlight centered right on the individual in the center.
With his normally vivid bright hair now a stark black, Joker looks like quite the different man than he usually is. However, his outfit more than makes up for the lack of color, and he's easily recognizable by his wide grin and booming voice that rings throughout the big top.
"Ladies, Gentleman, trainers from all over Johto and other places besides! Welcome to the Eve's Garden Circus, a show so fantastically amazing that it's practically paradise!
"Here, we'll show you sights to stun and wow your very soul! A strong man who could get into a match with an Onix and lift it up out of the way! A pair of unbelievable flying siblings who don't know gravity's pull! A snake man's dance that will enchant you down to your very core. All that, and much more besides!"
And normally, for those that are familiar with the Circus' routine, that would normally be the point where the ringleader starts up the introductions to his fine performers. However, instead, the ring remains dark and quiet as he seems to take a moment to look out into the crowd. Those with good eyes or who are close enough might notice that his wide beaming grin has momentarily softened. Those who know him might notice that it's a more genuine look than what can normally be found on his face.
"Yet before that, folks.... A word, if I may.
"I'll be quite honest with you all in that I'm a bit used to having nothing of my own."
Slowly, flanking on either side of him, a Zoroark and a Mime Jr. slip out from the shadows to stand just slightly behind him.
"My beginnings aren't anything to write home about. Lower than even humble, I'd say, and things back from where I'm from had been in a bit of a downswing. When I first arrived in Johto, I hadn't half a clue what I'd do with my life."
There's electricity in the air as a Luxray slides out like liquid darkness to sit besides the Mime Jr., and a Furret scurries into place besides the Zoroark.
"Soon enough, talkin' to people around here made me realize that who was to say that I couldn't keep doing what I had always been doing? I didn't think anything of it, at first, but bit by bit, things became bigger than I could have dreamed. The Gym Leaders were a kind lot who didn't hesitate to support me, and I came to find all sorts of people to help make this circus a proper one."
Finishing up the lineup is the ember glow of a Rapidash on one end as she looks quietly up at the crowd, and a Goodra jiggles into place with a little beam. It's quite a varied group that stands in line with their ringleader, and they all seem solemn but happy as he continues to speak.
"Some of those people, of course, are not here. Members of my family are among them. To Beast, and Doll, Dagger, Wendy, Jumbo, Peter, I dedicate this show, along with all the other performers and friends that can't attend.
"Not just them! A circus is nothing without its performers and those who help keep it running. Ilya, Jimmy, Crocker, Tobias, Ralph, Snake, Riku, Envy and Lust- give them the applause you deserve, please, because Lord knows the all deserve it!
"And most of all..." Joker gives a low bow, his arm folded across his middle, and the rest of his Pokemon bow with him from the Rapidash's delicate stretch of her front legs to the way the Furret practically curls in on himself in his own attempt.
"To you, dear audience, we particularly thank you for attending and giving your support. To you, we dedicate this show."
Straightening up, Joker takes a step back. In turn, the Zoroark and Mime Jr. take a step forward. A shimmer of light sweeps over the pair, leaving in their place a pair of people. On one hand is a tall young man who could be Joker's twin, dressed in dark colors where the burst of color is made all the more noticeable. On the other hand, there is a tiny petit young woman who is as bright and tiny as her companion is dark and tall, her delicate dress a vivid pink and her dark blue hair done in a thick braid. They glance to each other, smiling (him softly, her so bright it might rival the spotlight), and then look up into the stands. The man's voice rises up.
"And with that, everyone..."
The young woman bursts forward with an excited twirl. "LET THE SHOW BEGIN!"
Yet as she spins, light seems to gush forward with her movement, filling the big top in a whirlwind of color- light shimmering like rainbows that sweeps across the audience and lights up the ring in a near glow. A Charizard and a Dragonite roar out in delight along with it, swooping over the crowd, and beneath it Joker can be heard laughing as he springs into action again with his cane twirling and his Pokemon scattering.
Welcome to the Show
With his normally vivid bright hair now a stark black, Joker looks like quite the different man than he usually is. However, his outfit more than makes up for the lack of color, and he's easily recognizable by his wide grin and booming voice that rings throughout the big top.
"Ladies, Gentleman, trainers from all over Johto and other places besides! Welcome to the Eve's Garden Circus, a show so fantastically amazing that it's practically paradise!
"Here, we'll show you sights to stun and wow your very soul! A strong man who could get into a match with an Onix and lift it up out of the way! A pair of unbelievable flying siblings who don't know gravity's pull! A snake man's dance that will enchant you down to your very core. All that, and much more besides!"
And normally, for those that are familiar with the Circus' routine, that would normally be the point where the ringleader starts up the introductions to his fine performers. However, instead, the ring remains dark and quiet as he seems to take a moment to look out into the crowd. Those with good eyes or who are close enough might notice that his wide beaming grin has momentarily softened. Those who know him might notice that it's a more genuine look than what can normally be found on his face.
"Yet before that, folks.... A word, if I may.
"I'll be quite honest with you all in that I'm a bit used to having nothing of my own."
Slowly, flanking on either side of him, a Zoroark and a Mime Jr. slip out from the shadows to stand just slightly behind him.
"My beginnings aren't anything to write home about. Lower than even humble, I'd say, and things back from where I'm from had been in a bit of a downswing. When I first arrived in Johto, I hadn't half a clue what I'd do with my life."
There's electricity in the air as a Luxray slides out like liquid darkness to sit besides the Mime Jr., and a Furret scurries into place besides the Zoroark.
"Soon enough, talkin' to people around here made me realize that who was to say that I couldn't keep doing what I had always been doing? I didn't think anything of it, at first, but bit by bit, things became bigger than I could have dreamed. The Gym Leaders were a kind lot who didn't hesitate to support me, and I came to find all sorts of people to help make this circus a proper one."
Finishing up the lineup is the ember glow of a Rapidash on one end as she looks quietly up at the crowd, and a Goodra jiggles into place with a little beam. It's quite a varied group that stands in line with their ringleader, and they all seem solemn but happy as he continues to speak.
"Some of those people, of course, are not here. Members of my family are among them. To Beast, and Doll, Dagger, Wendy, Jumbo, Peter, I dedicate this show, along with all the other performers and friends that can't attend.
"Not just them! A circus is nothing without its performers and those who help keep it running. Ilya, Jimmy, Crocker, Tobias, Ralph, Snake, Riku, Envy and Lust- give them the applause you deserve, please, because Lord knows the all deserve it!
"And most of all..." Joker gives a low bow, his arm folded across his middle, and the rest of his Pokemon bow with him from the Rapidash's delicate stretch of her front legs to the way the Furret practically curls in on himself in his own attempt.
"To you, dear audience, we particularly thank you for attending and giving your support. To you, we dedicate this show."
Straightening up, Joker takes a step back. In turn, the Zoroark and Mime Jr. take a step forward. A shimmer of light sweeps over the pair, leaving in their place a pair of people. On one hand is a tall young man who could be Joker's twin, dressed in dark colors where the burst of color is made all the more noticeable. On the other hand, there is a tiny petit young woman who is as bright and tiny as her companion is dark and tall, her delicate dress a vivid pink and her dark blue hair done in a thick braid. They glance to each other, smiling (him softly, her so bright it might rival the spotlight), and then look up into the stands. The man's voice rises up.
"And with that, everyone..."
The young woman bursts forward with an excited twirl. "LET THE SHOW BEGIN!"
Yet as she spins, light seems to gush forward with her movement, filling the big top in a whirlwind of color- light shimmering like rainbows that sweeps across the audience and lights up the ring in a near glow. A Charizard and a Dragonite roar out in delight along with it, swooping over the crowd, and beneath it Joker can be heard laughing as he springs into action again with his cane twirling and his Pokemon scattering.
Let the show begin!