Shadow Skill TV Anime Series Episode 9 – Synopsis Cast of Characters: Elle Ragu - 59th sevalle of Kuruda Gau Ban – her adoptive brother Faury Brazmetizer – Sui Reme Kyo Ruu – Septia Lowengrin – White Lightning Lilivelt L’Bijuu – Holy Princess of Ashlianna Baron Astra – King of Juliannes Folstis Low – Holy Knight The Regent of Juliannes Kaira Lu Luka – Lekhitor Fighter Yan Tis – Felisha Fighter Sai Oh – Kisholana Fighter Scarface Vy Low – 57th sevalle of Kuruda Teaser: Map of Ashlianna. As the camera focuses on Juliannes, a narration describes it as a city with a rich tradition of four thousand years. We see the city, suspended in mid-air, a city in the clouds and anchored by chains to the land below. The narration continues that it is said that there is a holy power that resides in Ashlianna which spreads out through all things. It has the highest topography for that reason, and it is the incredible, glorious city that stands alone in the sky protecting the holy land. Hence the name, The Holy City of Juliannes, regarded with the greatest respect by everyone in the land. (Opening Credits) Act 1 Juliannes proper. It’s a very peaceful place when Faury and Kyo arrive. Kyo, looking about, says, “We can’t find Elle and Gau anywhere…we must have passed them on the way here.” Faury, puzzled, is saying, “It’s strange, they should be here already…” when a thunderous crash from the forest ahead of them draws their attention. Kyo wonders, “Is that what I think it is?” Faury, her heart obviously sinking, says, “It must be Elle…” The pair rush to the site of the fighting. We discover Elle facing off against Kaira Lu Luka, the Lekhitor fighter. Gau is calling for his sister to stop, but obviously in vain. Elle is twisting her tongue up trying to pronounce Kaira’s full name, something that the other fighter is using to needle the sevalle. Faury and Kyo arrive in time for Faury to comment that Kaira is one of Lekhitor’s annihilation technique masters; and in an effort to keep the peace, Gau is offering apologies to Kaira on their behalf. Naturally, Elle tells him to keep out of things, and that Kaira should be apologizing to her. “And I have proof!” cries Elle, “You’ve been spreading bad rumors about me!!” No one notices a lean figure in the background, or another shorter figure in sevalle’s clothing, watching them through the trees. At Juliannes palace, Princess Lilivelt is looking out over the balcony of her suite. Behind her are the Regent and Folstis. Lilivelt is musing over the upcoming ceremony of the Four Fighters, and when Folstis asks about it, Lilivelt says “It’s just that my heart beats a little faster during the day of the ceremony, that’s all. I always fear that something terrible will happen.” Folstis reassures her that there is nothing to worry about, and with a sober expression on her face, Lilivelt mentions her concern over the rumors about the extermination of the holy country. The Regent slants a glance at his daughter and says, “I’m sure you’re not fully comfortable with having Folstis here…” “Fa-THER!” “Just being honest.” “Stop it!” Their banter lightens Lilivelt’s mood. Meanwhile, down in the forest, the fight still rages, with Kaira saying she has nothing to do with the rumors and Elle accusing her of being a liar. Both fighters are ready to charge each other when Gau intercepts Elle and grabs her around the waist (nice one for the boy!), stopping her charge. Kaira cuts her own attack short and reminds Elle that she is supposed to be one of the Four Fighters and should know what will happen if she breaks the rules. A raging Elle manages to put a clamp on her anger as Gau continues with his restraining grip. But then Kaira calls out that she believes the rumor is true – that the 59th sevalle has a brain that is nothing but muscle – and takes her leave of the area, just as the two other watchers decide to do the same. As Elle’s anger cools for the moment, she is startled to see Faury and Kyo emerge from the trees, and asks what they are doing in Juliannes. Faury sighs, “Do you know the trouble you cause when I’m not with you?” At the city limits, Low arrives, but is puzzled by the fact that he can’t find any sign of Kyo anywhere. After climbing an immense staircase, Gau and Kyo are surprised to discover that they cannot enter into the actual ceremonial area. Faury explains that being a Juliannes girl, she had to pull a few strings, then adds, “But Kyo…this would be a good chance, wouldn’t it?” “What?” Faury turns with a significant look at the septia girl and says, “It’s fine. You can tour around Juliannes with Gau alone.” “They’ll be alone?” mumbles Elle, as realization dawns on Kyo and she clasps her hands in delight before dragging off a totally clueless Gau down to the city. Elle looks on in bemused surprise, as Faury says: “What we need to do is rehearse.” “What’s that?” “We need to rehearse the ceremony. You need to be serious!” Act 2 The Ceremony of the Four Fighters begins, with the King of Juliannes, Baron Ashta (sp?) announcing himself. He stands in the center of a circular area, and each fighter stands beneath a column topped by a sculpture of the crest of his city. Elle looks hopelessly out of place in the formal robes, which consist in part of an oversized cloak thrown over her body and a crown that keeps slipping on her head. Kaira is watching her with amusement in her cat-eyes. The Felisha fighter is the first one summoned forward – Yan Tis. The ritual questioning begins as the fighter kneels and bows his head before the King: “I ask you in the name of Juliannes…do you swear to abide by the rules of the Four Fighters here in front of me?” asks the King. The fighter lifts his head and we see it is one of the figures who had been observing Elle and Kaira sparring in the forest. He replies, “I swear to abide by the rules…as one who holds the future of Felisha.” “And I do accept your answer in the name of the holy city, Juliannes.” Yan Tis returns to his place, and the next person called is Sai Oh, the fighter from Kisholana. He is the other watcher in the forest – the lean one. The camera pulls back to show Lilivelt on her throne, flanked by the Regent and Folstis. As Sai Oh is making his oaths, Elle is fidgeting beneath the weight of the ceremonial clothing. Behind her, Faury, looking as though she wants to throw a talisman into Elle, directs her friend to look forward – and at that point Elle catches the cold stare of Sai Oh full-bore. Far away from the tense atmosphere of the ceremony, Gau and Kyo are enjoying a quiet walk through the Juliannes countryside. Or rather, Kyo is enjoying the walk; when she moves closer to Gau and slips her arm through his, he becomes distinctly uneasy and wonders what’s the matter. Kyo merely says she doesn’t want to get lost. We see Low moving towards them, though he is still some distance away. Gau and Kyo walk through a cloud, and when they come out of it, we see that they have passed Low on the road. Low turns in disbelief…Gau starts to turn in disbelief…and meets Low’s angry stare boring into him. Low’s fury is dampened quite a bit as Kyo turns around, and he starts to run away from the couple, but at the sound of Kyo’s voice calling his name, he freezes, literally, in his tracks. The camera focuses on Kyo’s hands wrapped around Gau’s arm as they ask Low what he is doing in Juliannes and if he is travelling alone. Low’s angry frustration builds as Kyo and Gau wonder why he isn’t moving, and then suddenly he erupts like the White Lightning that he is named after, startling the young pair. Back at the ceremonial area, Kaira is completing her oath to abide by the Rules of the Four Fighters. Three of the four fighters have made their promises, and now it is Elle’s turn. Presumably still out of sorts from the medicine that was given to her in the previous episode, she seems somewhat woozy, and Faury has to prod her to make her moves. Elle straightens up, prepared to act like a proper sevalle or die trying, but she moves forward too soon, and Faury hisses at her that she’s ahead of her cue! Elle’s abrupt stop sends the crown atop her head flying, and she hurries to retrieve it, just as the King turns around and is shocked out of his wits by this unprecedented development in the thus-far orderly ceremony. Elle looks up at him with a sweetly embarrassed look in her green eyes, as the King chokes out the ritual lines summoning her presence forward. Elle moves from all fours to sit on her heels, replaces the crown on her head, and then stands up. Faury is reaching the pinnacle of frustration, and the King rolls his eyes heavenwards. Totally lost, Elle looks about for help as the King coughs significantly, and then Faury stage-whispers, “Kneel down!” but still poor Elle can’t get the idea until she looks back at Faury and sees her friend demonstrate. But when Elle gets into the proper position, the crown falls from her head again! Finally, the King is able to ask the ritual question, and Elle begins bravely enough, but fumbles and stumbles in a way to make anyone with any jot of sympathy for her cringe in embarrassment. Faury is like to die of it as she hisses frantic instructions from her vantage point at the column. But as Elle makes one last outburst, Lilivelt is startled enough to start giggling on her throne. Sensing that the painful ordeal is over, Elle asks if she can go home now. The King, who is totally upset over how the dignity of the ceremony has suddenly taken a bizarre turn, closes the ceremony and invites everyone to a reception feast that has been prepared. No sooner are the words out of his mouth when a loud crashing has everyone jumping, and Elle wondering aloud what it is. The four fighters stand in their places at the center; Folstis and her father bow to the Princess and go to investigate, leaving Lilivelt with a concerned look on her face. A cloud of dust rises over the buildings of Juliannes… Act 3 The crashing, of course, has as its source none other than Low and Gau squaring off yet again. Kyo is calling out to the pair to stop, but the set of Gau’s chin will have nothing to do with it. Low, furious as he is, demands to know what Gau is doing in Juliannes; and Gau returns the question back to Low, whose face is twisted in anger (it’s not a nice expression at all). Low says, “I don’t need to tell you anything!” “Yikes!” thinks Gau, “What kind of an answer is that?” Fortunately, before any more mayhem can ensue, Folstis and the Regent arrive with an armed escort. “Are you resorting to violence in Juliannes?” cries Folstis, and the words are echoed by Gau in disbelief as realization of their latest pickle hits him, and they are taken prisoner. At the reception, Elle is eating and drinking as if there was no tomorrow. Faury wonders aloud what all the noise must have been about, and Elle, lost in the good food and wine, answers dismissively. Suddenly, a familiar purring from up in the tree on which Elle is resting her back catches their attention. It is Kaira, observing that the sevalle should watch her drinking habits now, and Elle, disposed to be peaceable says she doesn’t need the advice. Kaira continues baiting Elle -- teasing her about the size of her head, her hair – at which a punch from Elle into the tree nearly throws Kaira out of the tree. Elle challenges Kaira: “If you’re really one of the fighters of Ashlianna, why don’t you stop picking on me, and settle this like a warrior with your own fists?” Elle is about to aim another punch into the tree when Faury catches her arm and warns her that if she breaks the rules, she’ll be responsible for the destruction of the city of Kuruda. Elle chafes at the restrictions and voices her opinion in loud frustration…and then Yan Tis from Felisha suddenly admonishes Kaira to stop teasing. Sai Oh appears in the background, and his cold stare also gets under Elle’s skin. Into the tense silence, a bug flies past Kaira, and draws her attention. Like a lizard she flicks out her tongue and catches the insect, revolting Elle completely. Kaira throws one last jibe at Elle, and the young sevalle throws an open challenge to the cat-girl to come down and FIGHT! Faury cries out, “But you CAN’T, Elle!” as Elle’s fist comes up in the air filled with pent-up tension and frustration. The sounds of conflict reach Kyo, Gau and Low in a stone dungeon not far from the ceremonial grounds. Gau wonders what the sound was, it was loud…Kyo wonders what they are going to do, and can’t believe they are in there. Low assures her that there is no need to worry, since he will rescue her from that place for sure. Gau wonders how Low could possibly help Kyo when he’s stuck in the same cell as they are. Low points to his head and says “You just need to use this to get out of here.” “Can you tell us what we’re going to do, exactly?” “Let me see, then. I’m going to have to think about it.” Which statement is greeted by a skeptic sound from Gau and a wondering one from Kyo. Silence reigns for a long moment in the cell, and then the two young people sigh in unison. At the banquet area, the private fight is quickly becoming a public incident. Kaira realizes the seriousness of Elle’s intent on fighting her as the two of them land in the middle of the genteel crowd. Lilivelt gasps in surprise; The King calls out for them to stop and remember the Rule they just swore to uphold. Kaira, aware of the consequences of what is surely to follow, makes one last effort to avert total disaster by apologizing to Elle. But the young sevalle’s blood is hot and riding high with excitement (and she looks absolutely lovely here, Elle the proud sevalle of Kuruda)…”We should stop acting silly? Don’t you think that the fact that people like us are trying to be nice and polite to each another and sit quietly is even sillier?…When I meet someone strong, I can’t help but want to fight them. I’m sure you feel the same way. Or are you saying that your fighting spirit has *decreased* while you were trying to act so politely around the others here?” The words stir the fighting spirit within Kaira, and the two women quickly reach an understanding. The Felisha fighter calls out to Kaira, “Stop it! She’s just playing with you!” “I’m not playing with her…I’m sure you do understand what I mean.” “Huh?” “I thought that this ceremony was supposed to help us become closer with the other fighters. We’re supposed to understand each other and be friends. Well, if that’s the case, we need to fight with our own fists to become closer. Just like good fighters are supposed to…but some elegant, polite people don’t understand that point.” An little old man at the banqueting table agrees, and Elle goes on, “We just dressed up in those awful costumes and acted out some terrible play. I can’t believe we could stand through it.” Kaira’s eyes gleam in agreement, and the sevalle continues, “And then they tell us some stupid rules about what we’re not supposed to do or what we’re supposed to do.” The little old man at the banqueting table suddenly startles the assembly by walking right into the line of battle between Elle and Kaira, and launching into a tirade agreeing with Elle; that their crowd just wants to hide things that don’t look good…they just don’t want to be responsible for bad things. When reproved, the little man retaliates by snatching at a tablecloth from the table behind him, sending the food and drink flying everywhere. (You will distinctly hear a voice in the crowd yelling, “Aw, not the FOOOD…” ) One thing leads to another, and all the polite society present are drawn into a food fight of the highest order. No one is spared…the King gets a cream pie in the face, Lilivelt is sideswiped by something, and Elle, distracted by the chaos sparked by her temper, catches a blow from Kaira’s fist. She turns with a little smile of excitement as Kaira declares, “You’re a very funny girl! I like that in a person!” “Why don’t we start then? Let’s go!” “Lekhitor Annihilation Technique Sand Fin!” And the mayhem starts in earnest as Elle dodges the power of Kaira’s technique. In the dungeon, the captive trio are listening to the sounds of battle above them when they are surprised by a new noise: a trap door opening above them. A rope ladder makes it way down to the floor, and as they sight upwards, a familiar figure is silhouetted by the sun behind him…”Hey, look! It’s Scarface!” cries Gau. Scarface smiles down at them and says, “Hello! Why doesn’t everyone come outta here instead of looking all so sad? A lot of interesting things are happening outside…” Act 4 On the ridge overlooking the reception area, the Regent and Folstis are in total shock and dismay. Obviously, nothing has prepared them for this sort of eventuality. Kaira acknowledges that Elle is a pretty good fighter and Elle returns the compliment, before launching into another round of fighting. Faury sits on a tree stump, in a very obvious state of denial. The Felisha fighter, at a particularly neat move, finds himself cheering on the girls when he realizes what he is doing. He calls to Sai Oh, “What are you doing? You need to stop them now!” before himself rushing in to join the fray. It rather looks as though stopping the girls is just his excuse to display his own brand of fighting skill, and it is lovely to behold indeed. Elle gasps, “Are you going to fight us, too?” “Not a chance. I’m just stopping you.” Sai Oh, who until now has been pretty much silent, now goes into action. Folstis on the ridge, asks for the Sword, but is denied permission for its use. As she grits her teeth in frustration, she sees Gau and Kyo running full tilt for Elle, and Low beside Scarface, who pause at the edge of her vision. Folstis recognizes Scarface and wonders where he came from…her father comes up and says, “That’s so annoying. Your husband is always doing whatever he wants to do. And he let them go without any permission.” In the ground below, Kaira and Elle are ready to deliver their final blows; Sai Oh begins his martial chant: “The letter for ‘kill’ will remain in the heart. This one letter will become the weapon…” A piece of rock from the upper heights of Juliannes breaks off, and the Regent takes matters into his own hand and freeze-frames time around the aggressors. “We cannot permit this operation for any reason given – it is wrong!” Faury comes out of her shocked daze, and Lilivelt is discovered standing, none the worse for wear, a little smile on her face. Folstis says, “What happened today is not acceptable at all. We know this is just a poor excuse for immaturity and misbehavior.” Gau’s clearly panicked voice calls out, “Elle! Stop the fighting already! What’s supposed to be the point of all this!!” Sai Oh slides his sword back into its scabbard and declares quietly, “Shadow Skill, I know that you probably don’t remember my face at all, but I will never forget you. Believe me, the next time I see you, I’m going to fight you. Then I’m going to kill you.” As the camera pulls out to a long shot of Juliannes, we hear the closing narration: “The ceremony had finally been finished, without any big trouble. The fact that the fighters caused some problems after the ceremony was eventually settled down peacefully and there is no existing record of what happened on that very bizarre day.” Cut to an image of Elle in sevalle pose, as the narration continues: “Elle Ragu and the other fighters ended up getting along pretty well. And Gau Ban, Kyo Ruu and White Lightning Screb Lowengren were let out of prison by the mysterious Scarface, free from the violence that they were accused of.” The last word belongs to Elle, as she rubs her nose with a happy giggle: “I feel much better now…” (Closing Credits)