Last time, Yusuke and Hiei disguisedly started their initiation into the Order of Zerka. They stalked Risho through the Mountain Maze until a short cut ended cutting them off from each other. On his own, Hiei breezed through the course while Yusuke met the curious Manphor, passed through Hot Coal Burrow, and is now stuck underwater, unable to progress since Risho nabbed his clue from him. Can he find a way to move on before running out of air, and if he does, will he loose his life because he doesn’t have the clue for the next task?

Episode 7 : The Slumbering Key to Power

[In the underwater cavern Sukeyuay is frantically swimming around in search for another string of doubloons.]

Yusuke voiceover: Oh come on! This is so stupid! How could they run out? What am I supposed to do now? Stupid treasure, there has got to be a hidden stash somewhere. Where are they? [gulps]

[Sukeyuay grabs his throat and face turns from blue to a more purple shade.]

Yusuke voiceover: I’ve got to get out of here quick, or I’ll drown.

[Sukeyuay swims out of the cavern and up to the surface.]

Yusuke voiceover: Over there is where I came out of after the hot coals, but there is light above, so if I go straight up, it should take me to the outside…

[Sukeyuay’s eyes role up as air bubbles escape from his mouth. His body goes limp, but he still floats upward. A shadow lurks nearby.]

* * *

[An air bubble is released from the shadow and floats to the surface in a washtub outside with Kazuki sitting in it wearing swim trunks. The bubble pops, causing Kazuki to giggle and bring his hands together. Across from him, Atsuko sits on the grass with a straw in hand. She takes a breath and blows another big bubble underwater that rises to the surface. This time Kazuki extends a hand to catch it but looses balance and falls forward.]

Atsuko: [laughs] Careful there, slugger.

[Atsuko reaches to sit Kazuki back up. Kayko comes out carrying a basket of laundry.]

Atsuko: He reminds me so much of Yusuke when he was his age!

Kayko: Hopefully he won’t be as troublesome. [sets basket down] He’s been a handful without Yusuke here to help out.

Atsuko: Don’t worry Yusuke Jr.! We’re gonna raise you right this time!

Kayko: [closed eyed smile] That’s true! [thinks] “Barely.”

* * *

[Lying on the shore, Sukeyuay wakes up. He coughs a bit and water spurts out of his mouth. Sitting up, he finds a mermaid on his lap and hands slip from his chest.]

Sukeyuay: Whoa! Did you just give me CPR?

Mermaid: [giggle] We could go back in the water and drown you again if want some more. [winks]

Sukeyuay: Um, can I take a rain check? I’m kind of in the middle of something right now.

Mermaid: Oh come now, don’t keep me waiting.

[Sukeyuay thinks about Risho laughing at beating him then sees Kayko with an angry face and arms akimbo.]

Kayko’s voice: [shouts] Yusuke!

Sukeyuay: Eh, [smiles and sweatdrop] Look, I really have to get going, sorry.

[Sukeyuay rises, letting the Mermaid slide off, but she grabs his shoulders and pulls her face to his and screeches, while eyes start glowing, teeth grow sharp, and hair flies wildly.]

Mermaid: [growls] Come with me!

Sukeyuay: AH! [attempts pushing her off] Oh like I’d want to after that!

Mermaid: [wraps tail around Sukeyuay’s waist] I saved your life, so now your life is mine!

Sukeyuay: [struggles] I…Think…NOT!!!

[Sukeyuay grabs her tail from around his waist and pulls her off of him. Then starts spinning her above his head and releases his grip, letting her fly off and splashing back into the water.]

Mermaid: AHHHH!!!

Yusuke Voiceover: [sighs] And here I imagined mermaids to be more tempting…but now what?

[Sukeyuay walks up the shore and collapses into a sitting position. He starts running a finger through the sand.]

Yusuke Voiceover: Those doubloons had the clue to where I go next etched on them, but stupid Risho stole it from me. I have covered earth, fire, and water. Just air and life are left, and life seems like a big finale deal…so I probably need to do something with air, but what? hmmm…What would Jin do?

[Sukeyuay looks at his sand doodles.]

Yusuke Voiceover: Hey, could this be...some of the markings from the doubloons? This one looks like the air symbol from the Zerka mark and this one is a cloud…is this last one supposed to be a fly? So do I need to find a way to use air to fly up to a cloud? How am I supposed to do that? Hmm…there’s also grass that goes that way that is a bit flatter than the rest, I bet everyone else went that way, I might as well check it out.

[Sukeyuay follows the faint trail until it stops in a swampy area. Lots of flies and gnats swarm around. Sukeyuay looks grumpily disappointed. Gargantuan flies come out of the swarm and attach themselves to Sukeyuay.]

Sukeyuay: Hey! Let me go!

[Sukeyuay tries swatting, but cannot get the flies off of him. They lift him up and carry him off in the distance.]

* * *

[Ehay stands on the cliff where he started, along with Zerk, Modaruk, Initiation Demon and other prominent figures of the order.]

Initiatory Demon: Look, there’s a dolt who couldn’t keep balance on his cloud!

Zerk: Weed out the weaklings. [to Ehay] I do believe you have completed the course in record time. That is impressive, but unfortunately you will have to be patient until the others are done as well before proceeding to the final task.

Ehay: As long as those fools don’t take too long.

Zerk: Ambitious too I see. That will help you go far.

Initiatory Demon: One of the griffins tricked a delinquent into eating the poison berries instead.

[Another demon arrives after finishing the tasks with a second close behind.]

Hiei voiceover: [Ehay facing the course] There’s plenty you can do to mess this up Yusuke, but don’t!

* * *

[Gargantuan flies land Sukeyuay on top of a white cloud then buzz away.]

Yusuke voiceover: This is surprisingly solid. Can they really condense air to sit on it?

[Sukeyuay crosses his legs and rests his hands on his knees. He looks around at the landscape below.]

Yusuke Voiceover: [mumbles] I guess from here I’m supposed to see what to do next. Let the air be my guide huh? Finally an easy task. Become one with the air…

* * *

[In the elemental foxes cave, Kurama is alone, pondering. Remayolo enters.]

Remayolo: Hello…brother.

Kurama: [without turning to face Remayolo] Hello.

Remayolo: [walking around Kurama] You know it is not considered family bonding time when you are by yourself, brooding. [pause] It surprises me how you are such an ingrate with your talents. What a true and utter waste.

[Kurama remains silent. Remayolo stands cool and collected in front of Kurama. Suddenly Remayolo’s arm shoots out to clench onto Kurama’s throat and jaw.]

Remayolo: [low, seething] You know you should have never been born. [flings Kurama back] All life should have been bestowed upon me. [sighs] Once there were 4 elements and a 5th to rule them all…

Kurama: [rises and dusts self off] And so you must share that power with me.

Remayolo: Unfortunately. However, animals are under my jurisdiction, and you, dear brother, are an animal.

Kurama: In my Yoko form, I am. But as a human I still have my own free will, is that why you desire me to change back so bad? To rule me again?

Remayolo: Heh. Even humans have animal instincts…

* * *

[Yusuke is looking up in a daydream then suddenly envisions Yokira turning to him laughing.]

Yusuke Voiceover: Whoa! Where did that come from?!

[In a ghosted layer over the clouds Yusuke sees a partial Flashback from Episode 3]

Kurama Voiceover: We all specialize over a different element. Yokira’s is over “Earth,” and if you couldn’t guess by now, mine is over plants or “Flora” as it were.

Yokira Voiceover: Yeah, the others have “Fauna” which is animals, “Water,” “Fire,” and “Air.”

Yusuke Voiceover: Hmmm…Kurama’s pack’s powers are based from the elements, but there were six of them total. There are only five elements here. I’ve covered Earth, Fire, Water, and now Air. That leaves me the flora and the fauna… [slight breeze, looks to where it is blowing] which combines into life. [spots a griffin napping by a berry bush in a small forest clearing] And there it is!

[Sukeyuay jumps off of the cloud as the wind carries him to the spotted griffin and berry bush. He grabs a branch and swings into a land at the edge of the clearing. He walks up to the griffin and crouches down to pet it.]

Sukeyuay: Hey there fellah, it’s time to wake up and have a snack.

[Sukeyuay reaches over to the berry bush and snaps off a twig with some berries on it. The Griffin opens its eyes then screeches as it rises in an angry force.]

Sukeyuay: Whoa! Hold on there, this will be simple; I just want you to take a nibble of this. I won’t let it kill you, really!

[The griffin yells some more and starts kicking Sukeyuay, who in turn blocks with his arms.]

***COMMERCIAL BREAK***

Yusuke Voiceover: Aw man, this would be something right up Kurama’s alley; he would be able to get the plant into the animal…he’d use his spirit energy to manipulate the plant…hey that’s it! If I can transfer some of my spirit energy into the berries, the positive of life should cancel out the negative of poison!

[Sukeyuay takes a step back and holds the twig in both hands and closes his eyes. Blue energy is transmitted from his palms to the berries. The griffin tilts its head. Sukeyuay again holds the branch out to it.]

Sukeyuay: Come on boy, it’s all right…

[The griffin steps and nibbles the berries.]

Sukeyuay: There, you see? It’s all good now.

[The griffin eats all the berries off the twig and then goes up and nuzzles its head under Sukeyuay’s arm]

Sukeyuay: Hey now, it’s all right. Heh. Well I got to get going.

[Sukeyuay walks through the forest then spots a very torn-up and bruised Risho walking along too.]

Sukeyuay: [calling out] Fancy meeting you here! What happened? Got hit by a steam truck?

Risho: You should talk! But I’m still going to beat you! [starts running]

Sukeyuay: [runs after Risho] Wanna bet?

[Risho and Sukeyuay keep running. Sukeyuay pokes ahead. Then Risho puts on more speed and passes Sukeyuay. This continues until they arrive at the same time back at the starting cliff. Both support their hands on their knees with drooped heads, panting.]

Zerk: Ah, now we are all here.

Initiatory Demon: Fifteen survivors, that’s a pretty impressive ratio to what went in. The time has come for the final test of your powers. Come this way.

[The group of surviving demons follow the Initiatory Demon towards the mound that has been in the distance.]

Zerk: Remarkable little troop.

Prominent Figure #1: Yes. Perhaps we’ll keep 10 of them…

[Close-up on Modaruk tapping his pocket that faces away from the other prominent figures.]

* * *

[Teen Koenma, Botan, and George still in their disguises, sit on a portion of a large mound, looking into the distance.]

Botan: It was nice of Modaruk to let us know of the initiation and where we could see it.

Teen Koenma: Yes, too bad that it was mostly over by the time we got here! At least it looks like Yusuke and Hiei have survived thus far.

George: But Koenma, sir; if we already have an in with this guy, why do we need Yusuke and Hiei to join too?

Teen Koenma: Because you blue ninny, that’s the way that [whole body shakes] AHHH! [pulls out handkerchief radio] Modaruk is sending another message.

Botan: What does it say?

Teen Koenma: [looks intently at the handkerchief as it beeps] Holy Smokes! We got to get out of here! We’ve been sitting on top of a dragon!

Botan: [grabbing onto George] AHHHH!

George: [grabbing onto Botan] A dragon?!

Teen Koenma: Quiet! We need to slip off as inconspicuously as possible! If those other demons catch us here, they will have our heads!

[All three nod seriously then find a crevice to slide down.]

* * *

[The Initiatory Demon and following group stop a lengthways from the mound.]

Initiatory Demon: Alright now. You have all done very well to make it this far. You should all love this last task. In fact you can think of it as a reward. You have braved the elements and now is the time for you to have power. [signaling the mound] This here is Draconta, and all you have to do is find an item here to be the key to your power. Happy Hunting!

[The Initiatory Demon steps aside to let others proceed then heads back to the cliff while the group of surviving Demons approach Draconta as a group.]

Sukeyuay: Funny, the name sound’s a lot like dragon.

Ehay: If you couldn’t tell, that mound on which we are to find our keys is actually a dragon. We should all approach cautiously and not disturb its slumber.

Demon #1: A real dragon huh? Did you hear that Marduk?

Marduk: [a snake-like demon] In that case, I’m going for dragon’s blood!

Demon #2: To drink and gain the ability of talking to animals?

Marduk: No. To bathe myself in it and gain dragon-like invincibility.

Sukeyuay: Are you sure about that? I mean dragons are an endangered species. If you think about it, they really aren’t that invincible.

Risho: Shows how much all of you know, I know the best treasure a dragon can offer and I’m going to get it!

Sukeyuay: Oh really? And what would that be?

Risho: [self-confident] Like I’m going to tell you! [smug] You should really learn how to do research.

Ehay: Quiet fools!

[The group arrives at the base of the mound. They stand for a moment contemplating their first moves. A few start to cautiously climb up it, careful not to disturb the dragon’s slumber. Marduk walks around the base of the mound, looking at it critically. As the dragon sleeps on, other demons become bolder Sukeyuay follows Ehay in softly scaling the side of the mound.]

Sukeyuay: [looks around] Hey, I wonder where Risho disappeared to.

Ehay: [annoyed] Weren’t you the one keeping tabs on him?

Sukeyuay: I’m surprised you’re not curious as to why he’s with this group. And he did say that he knew the BEST treasure a dragon could offer.

Ehay: So why didn’t you choose to follow him instead of pestering me?

Sukeyuay: [mumbling] Well it’s not like I’m his babysitter or anything...

[As all the Demons have started searching the mound, Marduk has stopped by an area that resembles a huge hind leg. He smiles to himself and pats the limb. He slithers up to right under the joint and brandishes a claw. He then sticks the mound with his claw and runs an incision carefully between scales. There is a low rumble and then a high pitch bird-like screech. Around the mound the demons freeze in caution. Quickly Marduk squeezes his right foot and hand into the cut he made. As the mound starts to move and the leg he is on straightens up, Marduk fits in his body and head. Draconta inhales deep as the body expands.]

* * *

[Teen Koenma, Botan, and George descend from the opposite side. They fall flat onto Draconta’s tail. They hold on to the tail as it moves away from the body and sweeps across the plain.]

Botan: [screaming] Help me!

George: [wailing] I want my mommy!

Teen Koenma:[moaning] WAHHHH!

[The legs of Draconta pick off up the ground. Marduk starts to bring his tail and left limbs in. The leg he is on shakes forcibly until he falls out and takes a 70 ft drop to the ground. He turns to land on his right side then rolls onto his back. The leg he was in extends and the foot drops on top of him. Using his right arm to shield him the foot lands on the arm without crushing Marduk as Draconta takes off to flight.]

Marduk: [blinks, looking at his arm then regains composure] HA! It worked! I AM INVINCIBLE!!! No one can stop me now!

[Draconta flies through the air while the demons and other passengers clutch on.]I

Ehay: [shouting to Sukeyuay] You’re on your own!

[Ehay maneuvers up to Draconta’s back while Sukeyuay is still clutching to the side.]

Sukeyuay: [mumbling] How very considerate of you…thanks.

[As Draconta loops upside-down one demon falls to his doom. The left head, which portrays a western dragon, lashes out breathing fire along the back until it returns upside-up. Then the right head, which depicts an eastern dragon, exhales dark clouds while descending in flight. The clouds swirl together and lightning starts to flash.]

* * *

Zerk: So they finally woke up our sleeping beauty.

Modaruk: Thanks to that one rapscallion. He has received his key to power now.

Initiatory Demon: I believe that one is called Marduk.

Zerk: Similar to yours, Modaruk. Perhaps he can be as much of a dragon-slayer as you.

Modaruk: His immersion wasn’t complete. Heh. He has left himself an Achilles heel to keep him humble.

Zerk: He may not realize that now, but we can use his mishap to our advantage later.

* * *

[On the dragon Ehay darts across Draconta’s back. He clutches onto shrubbery on the back as Draconta flies upside-down again. Again the Western Head breaths fire which this time singes a nearby demon to a crisp. At the same time, the light reflects off of something shiny near the base of the dragon’s necks that catches Ehay’s eye. His eyes are fastened to the area until another breath of fire lights up the reflection again. He makes his way over. Arriving at the necks, Ehay finds the glimmer peaking out between closely knit branches. One opening is barely wide enough for his hand to squeeze through, after breaking through a fine inner net. Inside he feels many small spheres, but in grabbing them, his fist cannot come out of the hole. He is able to secure one between the knuckles of two fingers and brings it out. As he gazes at the stone, his other hand grabs some moss and dirt to stop up the hole he made. In the shiny stone he sees a reflection of Hiei even though he is still as Ehay.]

Hiei voiceover: The feeling I get looking at this…this calmness…and yet, it churns something inside…

[Ehay then sees his mother, Hina, cradling him up near his face. He immediately shoves the stone into his pocket.]

Ehay: This shall fuel my power.

[He gets up and walks away through the bushes on Draconta’s back. Rain starts to fall.]

* * *

[Sukeyuay clambers along Draconta’s side amid the twists and turns of the dragon’s flight.]

Yusuke Voiceover: Stupid test…stupid monster-dragon…and stupid whoever woke him up! How are we supposed to find anything when gravity keeps flipping over? I wonder where Risho went. He seemed pretty confident in what to do.

[Thunder strikes right behind Sukeyuay. He grabs hold of some foliage tightly. Draconta turns in a sideways loop causing Sukeyuay to slip and is now only holding on by the tuft of plants. His hand slips further with every trough. After the third dip, he has been shaken from all the turf except one soft blade. Under his weight, the blade gives causing Sukeyuay to fall with it still in hand.]

Sukeyuay: [falling] WOAH!!!

“Guess who! It’s Kuwabara! Did you guys miss me? Don’t worry; Yukina and I are enjoying ourselves plenty without being in danger like the others. Look at Yusuke and Hiei all joining a secret society and such. Hiei found a shiny stone, but what’s Yusuke going to do now? Wow! What a fancy trick he just learned! And for those of you who are wondering how Kurama is doing, the time is drawing to a close where his siblings will choose if they want to keep him for a month or send him packing. See what the future may hold next time on YuYu Hakusho Beyond!”