♪
[yawns]
Man, I'm sleepy.
[squeaking softly]
[MEG] Hm?
THE COUNCIL OF MAGIC PRESENTS
ITS VIEWS ON THE MAGIC DISASTER
♪
[exhales]
Come forth, plants, and reveal yourselves,
your life-giving strength from within.
Transform from your current state
and into the desired one.
Provide me sustenance.
Be part of me, forevermore.
♪
Nice!
[door opens]
♪
[knocking on door]
-[FAUST] Come in. -[door opens]
Good morning.
To you as well, Meg.
[MEG] I made you tea.
Yes. How kind.
[exhales]
[plastic rustles]
Well...come on out and get your grub.
[dog barks]
[cat meows]
[animals munching]
Who's a good Carbuncle?
Who's the best Carbuncle in the whole stinkin' world?
[making tickling noises]
[FAUST] Meg.
Yes?
You should know, you're going to die in one year.
Huh?
Wha...?
[MEG] It was a clear day in early autumn
and the clouds drifted gently past overhead.
It also happened to be my 17th birthday.
[wings flapping]
And how do I celebrate it?
By finding out, I, apprentice witch,
Meg Raspberry, am going to die in a year.
THE WITCH WITH ONE YEAR TO LIVE
We both know you've got a warped sense of humor,
mistress, but this is so, well--
[FAUST] It's not a joke.
You're destined to die, my dear.
[MEG] There's no way that's true.
-[FAUST] It is. -Die!
From my surprise party!
When have I surprised you with anything?
Hmm. Hm.
Okay, you can bring out
-the hidden camera already! -[FAUST] You got pranked!
You really think I would go on a show like that?
[sighs] Worth a shot.
However much I'd like it to be a joke, it's not.
You have only one year before you wither away,
-Meg Raspberry. -[growling]
Wow, you've got some nerve.
Telling me all this on my birthday of all days!
[FAUST] I know the timing seems inconvenient,
but I can't keep it hidden from you.
-The grave awaits. -[cup clacks]
Unless you take action, it's unavoidable.
Well, let's hear it. How am I supposed to go?
-A curse. -[Meg gasps]
A curse?
What's referred to as a Death Sentence.
As I already mentioned,
this particular one triggers within a year.
Now that you're 17, the countdown has started.
[gulps]
What a birthday gift.
It's an old one and a mystery to modern witches, sadly.
What's going on?
Give her eyes sight for what lies ahead.
[gasps]
♪
[FAUST] Think of it as a congenital disease.
When you turn 18 next year,
your internal clock will malfunction.
[gulps]
[FAUST] You'll age at a thousand times
the normal rate.
Ten years in three days.
And a hundred in a month.
[gasps]
[FAUST] That's about how long you'll have
before it takes your life.
[thuds]
♪
By the way, that vision you just witnessed
was you dying from the curse.
[MEG] That old hag was me?
Tell me how to break it!
I'll do anything!
As of right now,
there is no way.
Then all we've gotta do is find who's responsible!
You know who cursed me, right?
We can capture them and force them
to tell us how to break it!
Congenital, I said.
In other words, it's an illness.
And you're very sick.
How could you say that to
a fresh-faced 17 year old girl?
[FAUST] Don't worry. I'll look after you
up until your final moments.
[growling]
[MEG] Why's the old crone acting so cavalier?
I mean, we've lived together for over a decade!
And this is how she treats her most precious
-and favorite student? -[snarling]
The future's not completely in stone.
There is one way you can be saved.
Huh?
Seriously?
Then how about dialing down the funny a bit
and telling me the remedy already?
[FAUST] I assure you, it will prove difficult.
Both how long it will take and what is required.
Let me guess. This weird looking glass plays a role.
Where do you buy this junk from, anyway?
Why don't you button it for a second?
[FAUST] This moment, let it be captured.
♪
I just cast a spell on this bottle.
Starting today, you must use it to gather fragments of emotion.
Can I talk again?
What are those?
They are strong feelings experienced by people.
You are going to collect them.
[FAUST] There is something called a seed of life.
There are many human emotions.
Anger, grief, pleasure.
This seed is made from joy.
And how do I gather those?
[FAUST] Using that bottle I imbued with my time magic.
It will crystallize and store fragments of emotion.
You are going to use it to accumulate joy
-from all kinds of people. -[grunts softly]
Specifically, the tears that are shed
when someone is happy.
Their tears of joy.
Tears of joy?
[FAUST] The material required
in order to create a seed of life...
-[chomps] -...which in turn
will protect you from death,
meaning it will keep you alive
even after the curse has long taken effect.
[MEG] Totally fine!
So in other words, I'll become immortal?
[FAUST] If you don't dispel it.
[chuckles]
I knew this was all an act, mistress,
and you actually care about your student.
So, how many teardrops do I need to gather?
Around a dozen or something?
Try a 1,000.
-What? -You heard me, 1,000.
You have a mere 12 months to acquire that amount
from people who are experiencing true joy.
[MEG] I mean, is that even possible?
[FAUST] If you're a witch who can't perform miracles,
it's especially impossible.
Good to know.
Unless you've got any more terrible news,
I'll be going now!
[door slams shut]
[coat rustles]
[door opens]
[FAUST] And where do you think you're off to?
-Meg! Get back here! -[Shirofukuro hoots]
[door slams shut]
[bell tolling]
Only a year.
[MEG] If I really am going to die by then,
what have I been doing up till now?
I studied magic like a madwoman every day.
Worked myself to the bone.
I've done everything I could, but...
it was all for nothing, huh?
So, what's the point of even being alive?
It's my birthday, and I couldn't feel worse.
[whimpers]
[chuckles softly]
[MEG] How dare you try to cheer me up, fuzz face!
[squeaking]
How's a tummy tickle feel? Does it feel good?
[chuckles]
[ANNA] Excuse me! Aren't you Ms. Faust's apprentice?
What're you doing sitting there talking to yourself?
[chuckles softly] You know,
keeping the demons at bay.
[ANNA] Huh? Aw!
He's so fluffy!
I know! Get in on this!
[water burbling]
Really?
You came all the way here without an adult?
Yeah. I had something important to ask Ms. Faust.
Could you tell me?
I need her to get me a whole bunch of flowers
so that my mommy can get some peaceful rest.
Hm? Rest, as in?
She's been sick a while.
At first she was in the hospital,
but they finally let her leave.
Now she's sleeping and won't wake up.
-[gasps] -[ANNA] Daddy says
the reason she needs so much rest
is 'cause she's tired after going through so much.
I want to do my part
and get her some nice-smelling flowers
so she can get the best sleep she's ever had.
[MEG] Hmm.
♪
[MEG] Apparently, I lost
both of my parents when I was little.
I use the word "apparently"
because no matter how much I try,
I can't remember them.
And the person who took pity on me
when I was orphaned was none other than her.
Come now. Starting today, we're family.
Do you understand, Meg Raspberry?
♪
Hey, if you wouldn't mind that much,
I'm a witch's apprentice,
so I should be able to come up with a way to find her flowers.
-You'd do that? -[MEG] Sure.
I promise you.
I'm going to grant your wish, Anna.
[chuckles softly]
[MEG] So then, what kind of flowers
do you want to give to your mommy?
The flowers she likes most of all!
Let's be more specific, please.
There are these pretty pink ones.
Mommy saw them a long time ago.
She always said she wanted to see them again.
[Meg chuckles softly]
That certainly narrows it down.
[MALE CIVILIAN 1A] Hey, it's the apprentice witch.
Running errands for Ms. Faust again?
She's gonna work me into an early grave.
[MALE CIVILIAN 1A] Good luck.
I know you! You're Ms. Faust's student, right?
-Busy? -Always.
If it isn't Ms. Faust's pupil.
I just fried this batch if you want some.
[MEG] You know I can't resist.
Could I get her some, too?
[FEMALE SERVER 1A] Sure thing.
Ah!
[blows air]
[FINE] Look who it is.
-Huh? -[FINE] I don't often see you
at this hour, Meg.
[MEG] If it isn't the absolutely gorgeous Fine,
brightening my day with her presence!
How can this chance encounter be anything besides fate?
-Let's get married. -I'd rather not.
[car accelerates]
[bites]
[both munching]
What is it?
[ANNA] You're pretty famous, aren't you?
It's hard to remain anonymous
when you're a student of Ms. Faust.
She's one of the Seven Sages, after all.
The Seven Sages?
[MEG] Only the seven most brilliant mages
in the entire world.
I bet one day you're gonna be just as brilliant as Ms. Faust!
[MEG] Of course, I will.
[FAUST] You should know.
You're going to die in one year.
[yells] Damn it!
I'm descending into a dark pit
of depression again, Anna, so let's hurry.
What did I say that made you feel sad?
I wasn't being serious. It's a figure of speech.
I've a dark sense of humor! Don't sweat the details.
You know, you're weird.
From day one!
[ANNA] Daddy! Look! We have a guest!
[MR. HENDY] A pleasure. Welcome.
Hey! It's you!
Hi, Mr. Hendy!
Huh? You're Ms. Faust's student.
Meg Raspberry, but just "Meg" is fine.
How do you and daddy know each other?
Mr. Hendy is one of our regular customers.
[MEG] Now that I look a bit closer,
I've been here a few times before.
[ANNA] Really?
[MEG] He's always ordering magical remedies from us,
and when they're ready, I'm the one
who makes the deliveries.
Yes, but normally you come through the clinic
to make the drop-offs.
You've really never met Anna before?
[MEG] Not until today.
[gasps] She said she was going
to give flowers to mommy.
[both chuckle softly]
[MR. HENDY] What were Iris' favorite? Hm?
She would often display different kinds,
but I couldn't say for sure
if there was one she loved over the rest.
Hm. The hunt continues.
-[MR. HENDY] Hold on. -Huh?
We have a photo album.
Maybe there's a hint in there.
I know where it is. I'll go get it!
-[door shuts] -[Meg exhales]
She's so full of beans.
Fortunately so.
Her mother was always quite sickly,
but luckily, she's grown up healthy.
My late wife delighted in that fact, too.
Has it been a while, Mr. Hendy? Since she...
[MR. HENDY] It hasn't even been a week.
As luck would have it,
I just finished my morning rounds.
Would you join us for tea?
Let me see.
-Hmm. -[MEG] Hm?
[cabinet opens]
[MR. HENDY] Huh?
[vessels clattering]
-[cabinet shuts] -[MR. HENDY] Hm.
Hm? I haven't found
that much time lately to keep the place tidy.
If you want, I can help clean up a bit.
[MR. HENDY] It's fine. You're a guest.
Uh.
-Ah! -You're interested
in medicinal herbs?
[MEG] You have so many.
Not only that, there are a lot of rare ones listed here.
Don't tell me all those are medicinal too?
Yes. Gathering herbs was sort of a hobby for my wife.
Not sure what they're for.
-[cabinet creaks open] -[MEG] What are you doing?
Forgive me. I'm just trying to find
where in the world we kept all the tea leaves.
We were just talking about them.
-[cabinet shuts] -[MR. HENDY] What?
I had no idea.
You've heard of herbal tea?
I think your wife was using these to make it.
Uh. [gasps]
How did you get ahold of these?
[pages rustling]
-Wow! -Brings back memories.
♪
Look. Up here?
That's from when we went to the Far East.
-[Anna chuckles] -[MR. HENDY] We had a rather
strange experience in that country.
-A strange experience? -What happened, Daddy?
So there we were,
visiting this old temple on the mountainside,
when it started snowing!
The thing is,
this was on a bright, warm spring day.
[MEG] There was snowfall that time of year?
[MR. HENDY] Yes, and the skies were perfectly clear.
It shouldn't have been possible,
but pink was falling everywhere from the sky.
I can still picture it when I close my eyes.
It sounds pretty! Pink snow!
And falling during a warm season.
I just need to accept the fact
there wasn't anything I could have done.
After she had Anna,
I left most of the household duties to her.
I worked hard all the time to provide for my family, but...
Daddy?
If I could've seen the future, I would've found a way
for all of us to travel more.
Who's in the mood for some tea?
[tea trickling]
That smells so tasty!
I know. Herbal tea is the yummiest.
Plus, I added a little something.
-Huh? -Hm?
[MEG] Say, Anna.
Is your mommy sleeping nearby?
Yup! Real close!
[MEG] Could you take me there?
I'll show you pink snow
and your mommy's favorite flower.
Lead the way!
[birds chirping]
[wind whooshing] [leaves rustling]
[ANNA] You don't have to tell me.
I already know.
Know what?
My mommy's never going to wake up.
I see.
The truth can hurt sometimes.
I was wondering.
Could the world's greatest witch
make her come back to life?
[wind whooshing] [leaves rustling]
[MEG] No.
I'm afraid nobody can wake up your mother.
Before mommy went to sleep, she asked me to do something.
[ANNA] To look after daddy.
But he's been really sad ever since.
[ANNA] He's always looking at old pictures of mommy
and making sad faces.
So I thought the best way to make him feel better
was if I could at least make sure
mommy slept peacefully.
It kind of sounds like
the flowers were a gift to both her and your father.
Yep! I want her to get the rest that she deserves
and for daddy to feel better again.
[MEG] I see.
-[MR. HENDY] Hey! -[ANNA] Hm?
[MEG] Hm? Mr. Hendy?
[pants]
Sorry.
I've postponed my afternoon rounds.
I was curious and I followed you.
So...did you have any luck
figuring out which flowers were Iris' favorite?
Yeah. Well, I have a pretty good idea,
but I don't know for certain.
[MEG] Roses, cornflowers, irises.
I think Anna's mother displayed them
because they all symbolized
places she had visited in the past.
Maybe she thought that by showing ones
from countries she loved,
it would allow her daughter to experience the world, too.
I never knew that was what she was doing.
But there was one last flower she wasn't able to display,
no matter how hard she tried.
And I actually think it may have been the one
she wanted to show Anna most of all.
Did you know over in the Far East,
there's a tree called a Yoshino cherry tree?
-[ANNA] Yoshi? -Yoshino.
[MEG] It's a type of cherry blossom.
They bloom early spring.
Huh?
Uh?
Let my voice be carried.
Fertility of the land.
Fertility of the trees.
Hear my plea for a miracle,
and revive these colors from the past.
Illusion takes form.
Forms grant dreams.
And dreams bestow hope as a miracle takes place here.
Let the colors emerge from the Far East
and show us your beautiful form.
♪
Ah!
This is incredible.
[MEG] It's a cherry blossom recreation spell.
I wish it could last forever,
but sadly, it's a temporary illusion.
[MEG] Can't let them know
things worked out a little too well.
Am I really responsible for this?
[chuckles softly]
[Meg clears throat]
[MEG] I'm not sure if you still have regrets, Mr. Hendy,
or feel like you could have given her more out of life.
But if you ask me, it's clear your wife understood
how you felt and appreciated everything you did for her.
[MEG] The herbs in your home?
Each of them was chosen by her to make sure you stay healthy.
Everything.
The cherry blossoms, the flowers she collected?
It's clear no one loved her family
as much as she did.
Anna?
[ANNA] Hm?
I'm sure your mommy is going to be fine now.
She got the chance to do what she always wanted
and finally showed you the pretty pink snow
she saw all those years back.
You mean...
I don't have to hold it in anymore?
[crying]
[MEG] Yeah. You can let go.
Go on ahead, Anna.
You did good.
[wind whooshing] [leaves rustling]
[whimpering]
[ANNA] I've missed her ever since she left.
But I had to be strong and take care of you.
Daddy was sad, mommy was gone, and I was feeling...
[crying] I felt so...so alone.
Anna! I'm so sorry!
But everything's okay!
I won't ever let you feel lonely again!
[ANNA] Okay.
[both crying]
[leaves rustling]
[MEG] Even though she's no longer here,
I know Anna's mother would've wanted
the two of you to continue smiling.
♪
[ANNA] I knew you could do it!
You're gonna be just like Ms. Faust someday, right?
Huh? What makes you think I will?
Well, how could you not?
You found the flower mommy always talked about,
just like you promised me!
I'm a million percent positive you're gonna become
an even more amazing witch than Ms. Faust.
-Uh... -[ANNA] You've gotta...
-Well... -...promise me!
[MEG] How do I tell that face
I'm going to be dead and buried in a year?
Uh.
It's all right, Anna.
Trust me. She'll make it.
Someday, she'll be an even greater mage
than Faust the Eternal Witch.
-[gasps] -[Anna chuckles softly]
[sighs]
[chuckles]
[exhales]
Yeah, yeah, all right.
I'll be a great mage.
And when that day comes, just wait,
because I'm going to show you real cherry blossoms,
instead of some illusion spell!
-[ANNA] Really? -I am a witch of my word!
♪
I expected you to come back here
looking like a dead fish.
But it would seem you've gotten the light in your eyes back.
Don't compare me to floundering trout.
And another thing.
These are tears of joy, aren't they?
No, not quite.
Those are a combination of joy and grief's tears.
Different from what I asked you to collect.
Figures.
They may not be tears of joy, but...
they're pure tears.
I sense an extraordinary power within them.
[MEG] Yeah? You do?
Indeed. They contain a beautiful and kind emotion.
Is that why the vial accidentally bottled them
even if they weren't joy?
[Faust laughs]
It's very possible.
Uh-huh.
You sound kind of happy.
You do realize you're a witch who has the ability
to let people open up their hearts?
Oh, would you stop making it sound like
that's a useful skill or something.
Now if only you could learn how to take a compliment.
Not to change the subject,
but if you would have told me
five or six years in advance about the curse
rather than just giving me one, I might have...
You think knowing that far ahead
would have made a difference?
[MEG] Right.
[MEG] I know myself a little better than that.
Even if I did have more than a year's warning,
I still would've done nothing about it
right up until my final days.
The person you are now had the right to hear the truth
and the strength to fight her fate.
What do you mean fight my fate?
[FAUST] You have two options.
Will you give up and accept death,
or do whatever you can to survive
even if the odds aren't in your favor?
Only you can decide.
♪
[exhales] You know what?
This is probably the worst birthday present
in the history of bad gifts.
But I'll do it.
I'll collect those teardrops! All 1,000 of them!
[chuckles softly]
And no curse will stop me!
[MEG] This tale...
is the story of how an inexperienced witch
who only had one year to live...
brought about a miracle.
♪
THE APPRENTICE WITCH AND THE PEOPLE OF LAPIS