Shadow Skill
TV Anime Series
Episode 2 – Synopsis

Cast of Characters:
Elle Ragu  - 59th sevalle of Kuruda
	Gau Ban – her adoptive brother
	Folli Brazmetizer – Sui Reme
	King Iba Stola – 55th sevalle, King of Kuruda
	Crimson Kai Shinks – sevalle (I think he’s the 56th)
	Scarface Vy Low – 57th sevalle
	The High Regent of Juliannes – Folstis’ father
	Holy Knight – (name unknown)
	Holy Knight – Folstis Low (Scarface’s wife in the manga)
	Lilivelt l’Bijuu – Holy Princess of Juliannes, capital of Ashlianna
Teaser:

	A fighter is show drawing blood from his finger and smearing it on his cheek.  A voice-over introduces Scarface, shown standing with the wind whipping his cloak, over the ruins of a building.  The narration says he is the strongest and most respected fighter of Kuruda, worshiped by all the others.  His strength is a match for a thousand men, and the scar on his cheek is obvious proof of his heroism.  Compared to a fierce god running through a battlefield. (Note: This part made me laugh after reading what we women on the list have done to the poor bloke!)

(Opening Credits)

Act 1

	A fighter is shown being carried out of the Colosseum.  Gau is about to bet 25 pieces of silver on Elle when she tells him to bet it ALL – even if its their winnings over the past few days, so sure is she of emerging the champion at the Festival.  We have a humorous moment as she shoves a heckler’s rice cake into his mouth as the poor man expresses doubt over a girl’s ability to beat the demon beast that’s coming up.  More humor as Gau pauses at Elle’s pedestal and discovers her name is spelled wrongly.
	They are accosted by someone who calls Elle by name but won’t say who he bet on.  Gau finds it strange that the strange man (who has no fighting name), does not carry the scent of blood or sweat that normally hangs over a fighter.  The stranger and Elle exchange a quiet conversation as the man promises to take Elle’s life – and he introduces himself as Cor Iks.
	We then seen a pair of feet walking, before being shown that they belong to Crimson, who is reporting once again to the King in the royal box.  When asked where Scarface is, Crimson replies, “The blood of High Sevalle must be exciting agin.  I presume he is watching the games from a distance.”  The King asks for a status report, and Crimson replies that while the body of the spy was examined, his belongings are from everywhere, making it nearly impossible to identify him.  The King believes the spy may be from Suluothan or some other group dedicated to the extermination of the Holy Land.  Kuruda must increase its warring potential.  Crimson states that the festival is for just such a purpose, and suggests that Juliannes be informed that Kuruda is ready to proceed with the crusade at any time.
	The presence of the Juliannes High Regent is announced. (Sorry, but the names escape me when on TV – you had best consult Yagi-chan’s site for spelling and such!)  A dimensional gateway opens to reveal the Holy Princess Lilivelt L’Bijuu, flanked by two Holy Knights, one of whom is Folstis Low (Scarface’s wife in the manga, but never explicitly stated in the anime – I guess they assume you’ve read the story before!)

Act 2

	Elle and Gau are sparring in the corridor, watched by Folli, who teases the sevalle by addressing her as “little Elle”.  Elle threatens to beat Folli up, and the Sui Reme replies, “Only if you survive that next match.”  Elle seems a little disappointed by Folli’s answer, but assures her that she’ll make the Sui Reme a millionaire.  Folli is more worried about the lifetime ridicule that must be faced if the 59th sevalle is defeated in open combat.  As Elle turns to meet her new opponent, she thanks Folli for the advice, but says a sevalle is never concerned with losing, ever.
	Gau and Folli watch Elle’s first match of the day – against the demon beast Barso.  Princess Lilivelt shows great interest in Elle, and Crimson provides background.  The High Regent expresses surprise that the 59th sevalle should be so young – Crimson explains age has nothing to do with it – it’s the person’s own talent that matters most.  Elle affirms this when she jumps onto the railing of the royal box to avoid Barso, giving them all a saucy little smile before jumping back into the arena.  Lilivelt is at first surprised, then delighted; the Regent calls it rude (NOTE: but then, he’s an old greybeard full of formality, and Lilivelt is a lovely little thing not much older than Elle, the way she’s drawn).   Crimson repeats that it’s talent that matters most, and noble blood is not really that much of a criterion to be a sevalle.
	A stranger with a high collar shading his cheeks appears from behind Gau and Folli, impressed with Elle but feeling that she is trying too hard.  Folli asks if Gau knows this stranger, but of course Gau has no idea who it is.  In the arena, Elle does not want to reveal the extent of her skill yet, but the beast is pushing her.  Gau cheers her on, but the stranger seems doubtful, even as he names the technique Elle uses – Shadow Skill Boomerang. Elle reveals the sevalle badge on her arm in public for the first time, over the body of the defeated demon beast.
	The High Regent looks for Scarface and Crimson suddenly looks like a truant.  Folstis addresses the Regent as “father”, saying, “Maybe he didn’t want to see you, Father, or perhaps he has left for a journey far away again. “ At the Regent’s harrumphing exclamation, Folstis smiles and continues, “His wandering habits have never changed from his youth a long time ago.”
	As Gau congratulates Elle, the stranger points out that Elle had to make the Boomerang kick from an unnatural position and has probably strained her thigh.  Gau is immediately concerned even as the stranger says how reckless Elle has been. Gau comments on the stranger’s knowledge and wants to know who he is.  The stranger describes himself as a lowly vagabond.
	Cor Iks is seen in the shadows, watching Elle as she accepts the acclaim of the crowd.

Act 3

	Kyo is discovered sitting with two septias in the Colosseum basement where the demon beasts are kept.  Barso is wheeled in, and Kyo cringes as the mortally injured beast is put out of its misery.  The septias with her say it is more merciful to kill the beast now, and that she will see more painful things in the future, in their line of work.  After the septias leave the room, Cor Iks is seen slinking around the beast.
	The stranger accompanies Gau and Folli through Kuruda’s main market street.  They get acquainted – Gau declares his intention to be a sevalle and as great as Scarface, which seems to amuse the stranger immensely.  Just as Gau starts to bristle at the idea that he is being made fun of and patronized, the stranger reminds Gau that he needs to look after his sister. Distracted, Gau takes off; Folli comments that the stranger seems somehow familiar to her, and he answers that he’s just one of the audience at the festival.
	Gau bursts in on Elle, who choke-holds him because she was “dressing” – but in reality she had just been stretching her muscles and admitting to herself the recklessness of the leg throw from that particular position.  Elle appears shocked when Gau tells her of the stranger’s observations and asks if anyone else knows or noticed.  As Gau declares that no one probably noticed since he himself saw nothing out of the ordinary, Cor Iks enters the picture.
	As the next match is announced, in another corridor the stranger suddenly takes his leave of Folli.  When she demands to know where he’s going, he says, “I have to do something.  See you later.”
	Cor Iks tells Elle and Gau that he knows he has to defeat Elle to get a fighting name, but leaves nothing to chance.  Using a talisman, he binds Gau to the floor and has him guarded by the revived body of Barso.  The price of Gau’s life is for Cor Iks to defeat Elle in public so that he can get his fighting name.  Elle is furious, but Gau is pinned to the floor, and she has no choice.  In the arena, she dedicates the fight to the King and to Scarface.  Cor Iks reminds her that if she does not lose to him, Barso will tear her “beautiful baby brother apart”.  As they face off, Elle agrees to surrender but only if Gau is released.  Cor Iks retorts that Gau’s freedom will only be sure when Elle is dead, and releases another talisman against Elle.
	In the stands, Folli and Crimson worry as Elle takes the blows, acting decidedly out of character.  Mentally addressing Gau, Elle apologizes to Gau as she lets herself be beaten: “It looks like your elder sister won’t be around to bring you up anymore…”

Act 4

	Watched by Barso, Gau berates himself for putting Elle in danger.  A vision of Elle’s face appears before him, and he makes an effort to get up to try and rescue her.  The stranger who has been shadowing Gau appears.  He urges Gau to prove he can be a shield for someone he loves (NOTE:  this is a recurring theme throughout the anime series, that a person hones ones fighting skills in order to protect those they love, not for the sake of becoming a killing machine.).   The stranger tells Gau to show him what courage looks like – the power in Gau’s body. Then the stranger pulls down his collar and is revealed to be Scarface
	As Cor Iks prepares to deal the final blow to Elle, Scarface bites his finger to draw blood and smears it on Gau’s cheek.  Gau breaks free of the talisman, his strength fired by Scarface’s encouragement and the love he bears for Elle.  He blasts through the monster, carrying them both through the arena wall and into the fighting grounds.
	Elle is in shocked surprise as she recognizes Gau; Cor Iks is incredulous that his talisman was actually broken.  Gau cries out for Elle to defeat him and Elle announces with a happy expression her intention to pay back Cor Iks for all the trouble he caused her.  Using the Shadow Skill Sword technique to polish off Cor Iks after dusting him around the arena, she stands before him as he tries to figure out how he could possibly have lost.  Elle declares that sevalles maintain maximum respect while fighting their opponents – since Cor Iks forgot that fundamental rule, there was no way he could win.  Cor Iks realizes that he had lost before he even started.
	As Gau rushed to congratulate Elle, she surprises him with a swift kick between his legs.  As the poor boy collapses into a heap, she tells him that he has a long way to go, and not to be so overconfident.  In the stands, Folli wonders what really happened.  Scarface watches the brother and sister from the hole in the wall created by Gau, as we hear a voice-over of Elle and Folli arguing over the disposition of the prize money.  Elle is inviting them to celebrate, Folli wants the money applied to their debts first!  Gau becomes aware of Scarface’s watching eyes, but when he turns to look, the sevalle is gone from his vantage point, and Elle is dragging him off.
	In the royal box, Princess Lilivelt senses Scarface’s presence and greets him with a happy cry.  We also hear Crimson saying Scarface is late, and an exclamation from the High Regent, his father-in-law.  Scarface apologizes by saying he was off to inspect the new valle’s strength, and hoped for their understanding.  The Princess relates how she saw “the incredible fight and the power of the 59th sevalle, and the young power who follows faithfully behind her.”  Scarface admits that “new buds will appear in the land of Kuruda” and is sure they will be of use in guarding Juliannes someday.  Lilivelt expresses her confidence in Scarface’s ability to watch over them; and we hear Scarface mentally addressing Gau about his courage.

(Closing Credits)