[Yusuke and Hiei are back in their Sukeyuay and Ehay forms in a scientific looking room. A scientist stands by a noisy dome-shaped machine. Kurama walks up to Sukeyuay and wraps a vine around his left wrist.]
Sukeyuay: Hey. What's that for?
Kurama: Just making an imprint of the insignia.
Sukeyuay: So you think you can just miss out on all that initiation fun?
Ehay: We don't have time to wait for Kurama to go through that.
[Kurama wraps the vine on his left wrists and walks into the dome-shaped machine. The Scientist pushes a few buttons and the machine makes more noises.]
Sukeyuay: And what about their computer system.
Ehay: Modaruk fixed it to include him.
Sukeyuay: Oh yeah, now he lends a hand.
[The machine beeps and stops all noise. Smoke filters out the door. Out walks a plump, warty green demon with four bulging eyes. He tears a vine off of his wrist to reveal the symbol of Zerka.]
Sukeyuay: So how is it, Rumakay?
Rumakay: Ready to take care of things.
* * *
[Zerk is speaking to the members of Zerka in the meeting hall. Close ups on familiar faces such as Modaruk, Gavarian, the Mermaid, and Rumakay.]
Zerk: We must prepare ourselves now so we can realize our dreams. To get what we want, we must train so that we are able to rid ourselves of life unworthy of life. We will weed out the weak as we comb through Demon World. The rest will be forced to become stronger to survive. The population as a whole will become stronger; and with our strengths united, we will be able to progress further than any other previous populace.
[Sukeyuay and Ehay slip in through the back as if they had just come from the caverns. Modaruk looks over to them. Zerk also spots their entrance.]
Zerk: Now go out and become stronger so you may withstand the blitz the future holds.
[Demons rise and filter out. The Initiatory Demon approaches Sukeyuay and Ehay and motions for them to follow. They go up to the front of the room. The Initiatory Demon leads them into a room where Zerk, Modaruk, and the other prominent figures have exited. The door is closed and they face the heads of the organization.]
Zerk: Welcome back, my boys. Did your journey fair well?
Sukeyuay: Barely.
Zerk: I trust you brought back the necessary proof of your travels?
Sukeyuay: No dice.
Zerk: Pardon?
Sukeyuay: There was nothing out there but wild wasteland. Your "legendary Crystal Caverns" were just that, a myth.
Zerk: Surely you must have found something.
Prominent Figure #1: Or did you waste our time and not even go?
Sukeyuay: Past all that miasma was just a regular cave. I could give you a rock from there if you would like.
[Sukeyuay reaches into a pocket and tosses a rock from the caverns. Zerk catches it between two fingers and examines it.]
Sukeyuay: That's pretty strong stuff there. I don't know, maybe if you put enough pressure on it, you can compress it into that fancy gem you were looking forward to. After all a diamond is just pencil lead.
Zerk: Hm...I'll look into that. If this truly was past the miasma then I suppose you two did prove yourselves. You must be exhausted after all that. Please, allow us to provide comfortable living quarters while we look into this matter to decide if you are better suited higher up.
[Sukeyuay and Ehay turn around and leave the room.]
Modaruk: It wasn't a complete waste. I have word that they did take care of our fox problem on their trip.
* * *
[In a modest demon-style bedroom a door is opened. Sukeyuay starts to walk in.]
Ehay's Voice: I'll be back. I need to go check on something.
[Sukeyuay closes the door behind him. He looks over the room but finds the Mermaid sitting on one of the beds.]
Sukeyuay: [shocked] Whoa, hello.
Mermaid: Hey there big boy. Did you remember our promise?
Sukeyuay: Yeah, sorry about that. But it turns out they don't exist.
[The Mermaid stands up and walks around Sukeyuay. Her eyes shimmer as she looks him up and down.]
Mermaid: I hate being disappointed. They must have been something that really caught your eye if you don't want to share them with the council. You know I can't help you if you don't hold up your end of our deal.
Sukeyuay: Oh, too bad. I guess I'll just have to figure things out on my own.
[The Mermaid walks to the door.]
Mermaid: [sly] There's not much for you to figure out after you've been exposed.
[The Mermaid leaves. She walks down a few corridors, stopping at a shady corner.]
Mermaid: [under breath] They don't have the crystals.
[Modaruk's shady figure is visible behind the Mermaid.]
Modaruk: So they are still susceptible. Were you able to discern their position on the issue of Zerka?
Mermaid: He wasn't scared of exposure. Still, we may be able to completely persuade them to our side.
Modaruk: Yes. Like your job security with Zerk only goes so far, theirs will be quickly slipping too.
* * *
[Later in the demon-style bedroom, Sukeyuay and Ehay sit on the beds.]
Sukeyuay: We've been back for days and all it is is train, train, train!
Ehay: There appears to be a big planning meeting tomorrow.
Sukeyuay: Good. We should finally be able to get to the bottom of things around here.
[Rumakay slips in.]
Rumakay: I just had a little word with that mermaid-girl. Apparently Modaruk convinced her to join his side shortly after the two of you left.
Sukeyuay: Oh really, Modaruk seems to be gaining quite the alliance inside Zerka. How'd he win her over?
Rumakay: The only reason Zerka has her is to allure. But after their plans are in action, they will not have need of her since, relative to their ideals, she is weak. Modaruk offered her protection she did not care to refuse.
Ehay: So Zerka played her for a fool.
Sukeyuay: Did she know why Modaruk hasn't given us any details?
Rumakay: Modaruk wants us to see that his position is right.
Sukeyuay: And what exactly is his position?
Rumakay: Contrary to Zerka's. Both are seeking perfection, but their ideals vary. Zerka sees might makes right, while Modaruk's group frowns upon actions that hurt others. He thought that instead of forcing us to his side, if we saw the wrong in Zerka ourselves we would be more willing to help him. Modaruk pretends to be on Zerka's side, but his clan is planning revenge by exterminating the whole organization.
Sukeyuay: Well, that is a choice...I don't know if I like the sound of either of those plans.
[There is a knock at the door. Modaruk lets himself in.]
Modaruk: Oh good, you are all together. I believe there is something for us to discuss...
