08x271 - Blue Skull

[bunniefuu]

[WARROD]

There it is!

[MAVIS]

This story takes place in a time

before Fairy Tail's existence.

A harsher time.

It's about a girl

with a silly dream,

fighting despair and anguish

with nothing but the

heart they s*ab at.

It's a tale of overcoming.

Of chasing hope.

Of friends who formed a guild.

Is that the enormous old church

you were telling me about?

[PRECHT] Kardia Cathedral

is one of Fiore's

three largest churches.

The legends say that long ago,

the angel known

as St. Mikardia--

Hey, look! See that?

What the heck?

[PRECHT]

What is that?

[YURI] It's gotta be

Kardia cathedral, but--

Why's there a

blue-skulled dragon?

What the hell's going on?

[PRECHT] That dragon

skeleton is definitely

not supposed to be there.

The town looks

pretty torn up, too.

[YURI]

Yeah, that's an understatement.

[WARROD]

And there's not a soul in sight.

I know who is here.

The Blue Skull guild.

You okay?

So do we really have to sneak

around like a bunch of thieves?

Well, we did come here to steal.

Blue Skull has the Tenrou Orb,

and we're taking it from them.

We can't risk being

seen by anyone.

It could blow the

entire mission.

So we gotta stay hidden

for a just little while.

At least until we

find their base.

Okay, fine.

But we all saw that blue

skeleton on top of the church.

Don't ya think that means

they're probably inside of it?

[PRECHT] That's not enough

information to act upon.

They might have other

hideouts around here.

The Tenrou Orb could be

somewhere else.

We have to be sure.

What do you think, Mavis?

Uh. Where did she go?

[PRECHT]

Despite her history,

it seems she's not

the kind to wait.

[rustling]

[BOTH gasp]

Oh. Ha. They nearly

scared me to death.

The natural energy of

this place feels good.

[ZERA]

Mhm.

But still, the city gives

off a really bad vibe.

Like something evil is there.

[BOTH gasp]

Wait! What's wrong?

Hey, guys.

Do you think that she's found

Blue Skull's hideout already?

Come on, you've gotta

check this out!

Hush! We're trying to

be sneaky, remember?

Isn't it amazing?

What?

I must be missing something here

because all I see is a

giant puddle of water.

You don't see how

beautiful it is?

There is something

about this place.

The way the trees and the water

feel, it's kinda magical.

Definitely a peaceful spot,

that's for sure.

Can the rest of you feel

the incredible energy

filling the place?

Huh.

Now that you mention it,

just standing here and

enjoying the scenery

is invigorating

in some weird way.

Yeah!

All right then.

What do you say we set up our

home base right in this spot?

That sounds wonderful!

[ZERA]

Let's do it!

[MAVIS chuckles]

[gasps]

[screaming]

[BOTH gasp]

[WIZARD A] You can run,

but ya can't hide!

[WIZARDS laughing]

[YURI]

Mavis!

And there she goes again.

Aw, man, why does she

have to be such a pain?

[WIZARDS chuckling]

[BOTH scream]

That's a bull's-eye!

[WIZARD laughing]

What's going on?

You see that emblem?

They're from Blue Skull.

Really?

It ain't as much fun if ya just

stand there, so get movin'!

[MAKO]

Please, listen to me.

If k*lling is the only

thing that'll satisfy you,

then you can k*ll me.

But I beg you, please

spare my daughter's life!

[MIKO]

Mommy!

Okay, that sounds like

a fair deal to me.

We'll k*ll you before we

take out the little brat.

[rumbling]

[WIZARDS scream]

[roars]

[ALL scream]

[WIZARD A]

Crap!

[WIZARD B]

Run!

We've gotta get

out of here, okay?

[MAVIS]

Don't worry. It's safe now.

[BOTH gasp]

[MIKO]

Mommy?

[MAKO]

Wait, how can you say that?

You saw that giant

beast, didn't you?

As a matter of fact,

that "giant beast" was

my very own guardian.

Actually, it's just an illusion

I created to scare them.

[MIKO]

It's gone.

So are those Blue Skull punks.

And once again, I'm impressed.

Her illusions are

extremely life-like.

Here ya go.

My name is Mavis. Are you okay?

Yeah. Thank you.

You saved our lives just now.

I don't know how to repay you.

[YURI] Well, you can start by

sharing some info with us.

About what?

[PRECHT]

The Blue Skull guild.

I'll tell you everything

I know about them.

But they're gonna be back soon.

We need to go somewhere to talk.

Is this your place?

Doesn't look like you're

still in business.

Not anymore.

I know this is probably

hard for you to believe,

but Magnolia was once

a thriving city.

There were always lots

of people out and about.

And the streets were lined

with shops and cafes.

Folks from all over

the area would come here

to take in the sights.

During the harvest festival,

there would be thousands

of them here to celebrate.

But that Magnolia seems like

a distant memory these days.

The few people that

remain live in fear.

Blue Skull. They caused

all of this, didn't they?

Yeah.

It was so peaceful,

until the day they came

from out of nowhere.

[MAKO]

I'll never forget it.

So many people lost

their lives that day.

We were just ordinary folk

with no way to defend

ourselves against them.

In a matter of hours, the city

was under their control.

They seized all of the supplies

of food and medicine.

We had nothing after that.

And then they levied heavy taxes

that were impossible to pay.

The price for non-payment

was very steep.

If you were lucky,

they might let you live.

But they were ruthless.

Anyone that showed

any sign of resisting

was k*lled as an example,

right before our eyes.

No.

Does that mean that they

m*rder*d your husband as well?

[MAKO]

They did.

That's just like us.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[MIKO] You see?

Daddy made me that bread.

It was special for my birthday!

What? Is that really bread?

Quiet.

That's a super cute present.

Yeah, and it was

super yummy too!

He was really good at

makin' stuff like that!

He would always make

me special bread

to give me on my birthdays

in all kinds'a shapes.

He'd make 'em into animals,

and sometimes he'd make 'em

look like trees and flowers.

Yum. Hearing about it

is makin' me kinda hungry.

This year, I was gonna

make one for my daddy.

I wanted to give him a really

good one for his birthday,

but he was gone

before I could do it.

[MIKO crying]

Blue Skull is even bigger than

they were when they att*cked us.

They were a small

force, but strong.

And now there must be

hundreds upon hundreds

of members in the guild.

That is quite troubling.

[MAKO]

You're travelers, aren't you?

My advice is to leave

and get as far away from

Magnolia as you can.

[MIKO]

Wait!

[gasps]

What is it, Miko?

Thank you.

For saving me and Mommy earlier.

So here! I want you

to have this!

That's such a cute and

thoughtful thing to do.

Thank you.

[giggles]

What do we do?

[PRECHT]

About what?

Don't play dumb with me.

What're we gonna do

about Blue Skull?

I don't know. With that many

members, what can we do?

You okay?

[PRECHT] Don't forget,

we're only here to get the orb.

Nothing more.

Yeah, I know.

Well, although I feel bad

for Miko and her mom,

you hit the nail

right on the head.

We just came here to nab

an S-class treasure.

Taking down Blue Skull is

definitely not on the agenda.

Yep, you're right about that.

Wait, Seriously?

You're just gonna let all of

these people keep suffering?

We can't do anything

to help them!

I don't understand how anyone

can see what's happening

here and just walk away!

So you're just a bunch of

heartless cowards after all.

We can't just take

on a wizard guild.

Especially not such

a massive one.

Your illusions just

aren't gonna cut it.

We don't have any real way to

fight against magic users.

But they need us.

[OLD MAN A]

Excuse me, are you travelers?

There's nothing left in

this place but heartache.

Leave if you value your lives.

That's not an option.

We have some things to

do before we can go.

[PRECHT]

Sir, if you don't mind,

we'd like to ask

you some questions.

There're no answers here, sorry.

But this once

great city is dying.

Is there no hope for it?

No, none. Death has

taken hold of this city.

The day Blue Skull arrived

here, we were doomed.

[screams]

[BOTH gasp]

Is there no hope for it?

No, none. Death has

taken hold of this city.

The day Blue Skull arrived

here, we were doomed.

[screams]

[BOTH gasp]

[PRECHT]

Sir!

[YURI]

Hey!

Whoa! What just happened?

It was a magic b*llet!

Who would do such a thing?

Based on the

att*ck's trajectory,

it came from up there!

Aw, yeah! Perfect sh*t!

[WIZARD E laughs]

Down like a dusty old

sack of potatoes!

All right! Now watch me

take this kid out next!

Those bastards!

[PRECHT]

Indeed.

[WIZARDS laughing]

You lost?

Because there's no way

you came here on purpose

unless you were lookin' to die.

[WIZARD E laughs]

Good night!

Oh, no!

That bun was a very

special gift to me!

Why in the hell should I care?

But you're goin' down

this time, ya little brat!

You wouldn't dare.

[WIZARD E laughs]

Seein' that bread reminds

me of that baker guy

we roasted a while back.

Roasted?

I think you meant to say

we toasted him, right?

These are the same people

who m*rder*d Miko's father?

Let's make them pay!

[PRECHT]

And dearly!

Now! Yuri! Warrod!

Okay!

Yeah!

They're just K*llers.

They don't give a damn

about human life.

Everybody I cared about

is dead because of them.

My father. My friends

from school!

I know.

Uh-oh. You losers are

gonna make us pay, are ya?

You think you can just walk into

our town and challenge us?

Well, think again!

Bring it on!

Crystal b*mb!

That's right!

You're definitely gonna pay for

what you did to little Miko!

If you like magic

b*ll*ts so much,

why don't I give you a whole

mouth full of 'em, huh?

[WIZARD E screams]

[YURI]

Heh.

You guys are pathetic.

Is this the best wizards can do?

[yelps]

[WIZARD G]

What's going on here?!

[WIZARD H] Some foreigners

are on a rampage!

[WIZARD I]

What? On our turf?

Here comes backup.

Don't you worry, I know

exactly what to do.

[YURI]

Mavis!

Now come forth.

Tenrou Soldiers!

[WIZARDS gasping]

What the--?

Whoa! Where did they come from?

Dunno!

There's so many!

[WIZARD H] It's like they

came outta thin air!

Crazy!

No way! There's too many!

Is it some kinda invading army?

Or did she summon them?

Let me speak to your master,

and I'll keep them at bay.

So what do we do?

[MAVIS]

Call him here now!

[GEOFFREY]

But I'm already here.

[gasps]

Master Geoffrey?

I came to see for myself

what this fuss is about.

That's the guy! Let's go

pound his ugly face in!

[PRECHT]

Quiet, Yuri.

So he's the one in charge.

We're here to take

back what you stole

from Tenrou Island

seven years ago.

My people's sacred artifact,

called the Tenrou Orb.

[GEOFFREY]

Hmph.

But if you refuse

to return it...

[GEOFFREY] Please. Tell me

what happens if I refuse.

Then they will att*ck.

Oh, is that so. Hmm...

[GEOFFREY]

k*ll them all.

[WIZARD G]

What? But, Master--

[WIZARD H]

We're completely outnumbered!

Surely we can defeat illusions.

[gasps]

This is bad.

She was tryin' to fool us!

All right! Crush 'em, men!

[WIZARDS yelling]

Aw, crap!

[PRECHT]

Fall back!

[WARROD, YURI]

Let's go!

They've got us surrounded!

We're just gonna have

to bust through 'em!

[BOTH yelling]

Hey! Come on!

Zera.

We have to get out

of here. Let's go!

Yeah.

[WIZARDS snickering]

Got a special delivery

just for you!

[gasps]

[screams]

[WIZARDS lauging]

You shouldn't tangle

with wizards.

[PRECHT]

Yuri!

He got hit!

No.

Let's light this joker up, boys!

Oh, no, Precht!

[WARROD]

Precht! Yuri!

[WARROD]

Damn it!

Blast 'em!

You're not killin' anyone else!

Especially not my friends!

Mavis!

Right!

They're gettin' away!

What are ya standin'

around for? After 'em!

That's enough.

The terror they just experienced

will keep them away for good.

[MAVIS] We may've had to turn

tail and run that day,

but we were heading straight

towards a new beginning.

Little did we know; he was

waiting in that forest.

And he would change

our lives forever.

[MAVIS] After a humbling defeat

at the hands of Blue Skull,

we sought shelter in the

forest west of Magnolia.

My overconfidence put my

friends' lives at risk.

As I reflected on my failure,

I encountered a lone wizard

trying to escape

civilization in the woods.

This fateful meeting would

change my life forever,

and directly lead to the

founding of Fairy Tail.

Next Time: "Conveyer of Magic."

Light and darkness

gently intertwine.