After Kurama’s extensive training with his siblings, they set out for the Crystal Caverns in hopes of attaining the legendary Ziberian Crystals. Yusuke and Hiei also began thier journey to the caverns. The foxes slowly yet surely made their way through the obstacles with much patience. Yusuke and Hiei found their path and followed in. But as the foxes near the core of the caverns, will Yusuke and Hiei be able to catch up to them before the fox pack claims the crystals for their own? And as they inevitably meet, how will their confrontation turn out?
Episode 11 : Powering Opposition
[Yoko Kurama and his siblings are surrounded by a maze of tunnels. Yokira shivers and laughs.]
Yokira: It’s like this soil is alive. The tunnels are constantly moving and changing. Oh, it tickles! [sly] These caves are tricky; none of them lead to the chamber with the crystals.
Remayolo: Then we’ll just have to solidify a straight course to the center.
Yokira: Even going straight, we’ll run into other traps, I better start from the end of the maze so it doesn’t move around trying to avoid us.
Osuko: Endoya and I could commence coagulating from this end after I get my energy back.
Remayolo: If you need more strength, I’m sure Little Yoko has some more helpful herbs.
[Remayolo raises an eye to Yoko Kurama who silently pulls out some herbs and holds them out to Osuko.]
Kurama Voiceover: This acquiescence must cease.
* * *
[Hiei and Yusuke pass through the ice barrier into the fire section.]
Yusuke: From freezing to frying, like we’re leftovers or something.
Hiei: Modaruk said the initiatory course would prepare us for the caverns.
Yusuke: Are you sure we can trust him? Right now it looks like he just wanted us to run some errands for him.
[Ghosted layer of the Mermaid whispering to Yusuke from Episode 10.]
Mermaid Voiceover: You have friends for enemies and enemies for friends.
Yusuke: Hey, do you know anything about these crystals we’re getting?
Hiei: sh.
[Voices from the foxes echo down the corridor.]
Okiya Distant: This is so exhilarating! I can hardly wait!
Remayolo Distant: Well done, siblings. Soon our efforts will be rewarded.
[Hiei sprints while Yusuke flies through the tunnel to find the owners of the voices. As they near, they slow down so as not to be detected.]
* * *
[Yokira rises from the ground and dusts off her hands while Osuko and Endoya get up from the wall they had their hands pressed against.]
Yokira: We have connected to the chamber. We can proceed now.
[A quick shot of Yusuke peaking around the corner.]
Remayolo: Yes. Very good. Let us claim our prize, siblings!
Okiya: Oh yes! [grabs Yoko Kurama’s arm] Come along, Little Yoko!
Yusuke Echo: Well, well, well! Looks like we’ve got some foxes in the hole.
Remayolo: [turning] Who’s there? Show yourself!
[Yusuke comes out from around the bend with a smirk on his face. Hiei discreetly follows as Yusuke approaches the fox pack.]
Yusuke: What? You mean you never heard of the Great Yusuke Urameshi?
Remayolo: [taunting] I’m sorry. Should I have?
Okiya: I believe this pest is one of our brother’s friends. According to rumors floating around he’s the descendent of the late King Raizen.
Remayolo: Puh. Raizen, that old fool.
Yokira: This twerp is a weakling compared to him. I wiped him out before with mere energy.
Yusuke: Hey! That was a cheap shot before! I didn’t know fingernails could have halitosis!
Yokira: Impudent little punk.
Hiei: Don’t forget I almost had you myself!
Yokira: [clenched fist] Little runt sneaking up on me…talk about cheap shots!
Remayolo: I see the situation now. They shouldn’t be any trouble for you to take care of…Yoko Kurama.
[Yoko Kurama steps forward to face Yusuke.]
Yusuke: Whoa! Hey Kurama, you’ve got to be kidding me!
Hiei: Tch. [lays hand of hilt of katana]
[Yoko Kurama slowly walks towards Yusuke and Hiei.]
Yusuke: “Take care of me?” Come on, I can take care of myself; I’m a big boy now!
[Yoko Kurama walks in silence, reaches Yusuke, then turns to stand beside him.]
Yoko Kurama: I still don’t think you can handle this by yourself. [smirks at Yusuke]
Yusuke: Kurama.
Yoko Kurama: I refuse to do your bidding anymore Remayolo.
Remayolo: You DARE oppose me? HAAAAAAAAA!
[Energy waves from Remayolo’s voice pick up Yoko Kurama and throw him against the wall, leaving him unconscious. Yusuke and Hiei run to check on him while the other foxes stand in shock.]
Yusuke: Kurama!
Remayolo: Yokira! Finish him off.
Yokira: Our own brother?
Remayolo: He has betrayed us. He no longer is any brother of ours.
Yokira: I can’t do that, [faces Yusuke] but I have no trouble beating up his friend.
Yusuke: Good, then we can settle the score from before.
Yokira: There is nothing to settle. You’re going to lose!
[Yokira sprints towards Yusuke with her fist extended.]
Yokira Voiceover: I am sorry, brother, but I will settle this after I kill this human. You will be avenged.
Remayolo: Osuko. How about you take care of the little man there?
Osuko: [cracks knuckles] Ok. If he bested Yokira, this should be interesting!
Hiei: [spits] Hn.
[Osuko takes a few steps forward and takes a stance facing Hiei. Hiei grabs his katana and holds it eye level, supported by his opposite wrist, pointing towards Osuko. At the same time, Yusuke leaps up, narrowly missing Yokira’s punch. She instead hits the ground, spewing rocks in every direction. Yusuke lands unharmed behind Yokira. Yokira stands and turns to face him with a smirk.]
Yokira: [snicker] Forgive my haste. That was in anger.
Yusuke: Angry at what? That I ruined your little family reunion?
Yokira: Heh. I suppose that too. But don’t worry, I’ll defeat you properly soon enough.
Yusuke: Don’t expect things to go as easy as last time.
[Yokira starts moving her hands up her sides, calling the earth to creep up her body.]
Yokira: You forget where you are… [sinister chuckle]
[With a dash, Yusuke appears in front of Yokira and deals her an uppercut that sends her crashing into the ceiling. Yokira falls with loosened rocks.]
Yusuke: And you forget I already know that trick. No way I’m letting you have time to armor up again!
Yokira: [growling] How cute, you really want a chance this time.
[Yokira uses her energy to levitate the surrounding loose rocks and sends them shooting towards Yusuke. Meanwhile Osuko and Hiei are staring each other down. Osuko smiles at Hiei and a wall of fire circles the two.]
Hiei: I take it you think you are a master of fire?
Osuko: I don’t think. I know.
[Osuko motions for Hiei to attack. Hiei doesn’t move. His eyes blink as two fireballs fly from the fire wall behind. Hiei spins and deflects the balls with his katana. Hiei spins again to deflect two more fireballs and stares intently at Osuko. Osuko releases a giant fireball from behind Hiei. Hiei dodges, letting the fireball hurl past Osuko and absorb back into the fire wall barrier. Hiei points menacingly at Osuko.]
Hiei: Fool. You could at least try to hit me.
Osuko: You think I was actually aiming to get you punk?
[A barrage of fireballs continuously fly towards Hiei. Hiei persists in dodging and deflecting the fireballs. After a while a hoard of fireballs shoot from the same area. Hiei twirls his katana like a baton, creating a shield against them. Osuko lets out a small grunt while a giant, blue fireball comes from behind. Hiei moves to dodge while still keeping his katana circling, but the blue fireball still manages to sear his ear and cheek.]
Osuko: [maniacally] You see, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’ll tire out eventually.
[Osuko laughs as he continues his blazing assault.]
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
[Yusuke runs towards Yokira, avoiding all her rocks.]
Yusuke: Stupid freakin’ nature. Throwing rocks only works if you’re trying to annoy me. This scene has already been played.
[Yokira throws arm out, sending another volley of rocks.]
Yokira: Are you implying something?
[Yusuke blows the rocks away and pops up in front of Yokira.]
Yusuke: Yeah, that you’re not serious about this fight.
[Yusuke swings a kick to Yokira’s waist, sending her across the cave until a wall stops her. She stands and flicks her thumb under her lip to remove some dirt then crouches with her arms behind her, hands dipped in the rubble.]
Yokira: If you’re anticipating an easy battle just because you are my brother’s friend, you are sorely mistaken! [sneer] You I intend to kill.
[Yokira pushes off towards Yusuke with fist encased in rock.]
Yusuke: You wouldn’t be the first.
[Yusuke dodges. Having anticipated him moving, she spins with her fists together where the rocks meld into a bigger stone that she crashes into Yusuke’s back.]
Yokira: But I will be the last!
[Yusuke skids face forward across the ground, ending up buried in debris. Yokira walks over.]
Yokira: See, you were no match…huh?
[Yusuke powers up, flinging the rocks away with his energy. He stands, dusts himself off, then turns to face Yokira.]
Yusuke: What was that suppose to be?
Yokira: What? [frustrated] Slippery little roach.
Yusuke: Heh. My teachers use to call me the same thing.
Yokira: Stop toying with me you little brat!
[Yokira irately charges towards Yusuke. Likewise Yusuke smiles as he rushes to meet her head on. Midst Osuko’s fire onslaught, Hiei weaves around his attacks. The attacks lull.]
Hiei: Is that all you can do?
[Osuko stops attacking.]
Osuko: You should speak, you haven’t done much yourself.
Hiei: I was waiting for you to finish showing off.
Osuko: Oh yeah? Here’s something to show you! ERAGH!
[Osuko releases an almost clear, white fireball. Hiei swings to deflect it, and holds it back from impact. He brings up his free arm to help his katana hold it back as the intense heat causes it to start melting.]
Hiei: You can dish out the heat, but can you take it?
[Hiei manages to push the fireball off in Osuko’s direction as the remainder of his katana melts into a puddle on the ground. Osuko reaches out a hand and catches the fireball. He shifts his arm into a holding position while the ball remains blazing in his hand. Hiei’s hilt hits the ground as he pries his charred fingers off of it.]
Osuko: Do you honestly think I would throw it around if I couldn’t? RIGOROUS FLAME!
[Osuko slams the fireball onto the ground, sending up forceful flames from under Hiei, engulfing him in white fire. Osuko turns in victory, letting his firewall die down. He gives a smile to his siblings. Hiei floats in the fire with a zoned out look.]
Hiei Voiceover: …something…burning…in my…pocket…
[Hiei manages to reach in his pocket. He pulls out the shiny stone he got from Zerka’s dragon. It emits a light that encompasses Hiei, absorbing all the power from the white flame. Behind Osuko, Hiei emerges from the pyre of fire completely in flames that heal his body.]
Endoya: Look behind you!
Osuko: Huh?
[Osuko turns to see Hiei walking towards him with a shiny stone levitating in his hand.]
Hiei: Your flames cannot hurt me. Rather, they have strengthened me. Now I will show you what it means to be a true master of fire!
[Hiei clenches a fist around the stone and sprints towards Osuko. He uses his other hand to punch Osuko in the gut. While Osuko bends over in pain, Hiei strikes the side of his face with the fiery fist holding his stone. The blow twists his neck around and throws his lifeless body to the side.]
Hiei: You were a fool to use all your energy in that last attack. That was your demise.
[Hiei lets out a breath then opens his palm to examine the stone.]
Hiei Voiceover: What kind of power does this have?
Okiya: That jerk! Look what he’s done to our brother! I’ll kill him!
Endoya: Cool it, sister. You back up Yokira, she’s not doing too well herself. I’ll douse the little firecracker.
Okiya: [understanding] Hm. Right.
[Endoya walks up to Hiei. Sensing another fight coming on, he puts the stone back in his pocket. At this point, Yokira is continuously bringing up stalagmites, which Yusuke persistently dodges.]
Yokira: I can see your improvement from our last fight. Forgive my previous sloppiness of not finishing you off before. I was blinded in my eagerness to find my brother.
Yusuke: You don’t have to apologize to me about it.
[Yusuke runs towards Yokira. She slams her fists on the ground, causing a multitude of sharp rocky spikes to emerge all over the ground. Yusuke jumps to avoid.]
Yokira: [laughing] Good luck dodging them now; there is no where safe for you to land!
[Yokira looks up to see Yusuke still hasn’t come down. She raises her eyes to see him floating in the air.]
Yusuke: I’ll skip the landing then. Yeah, I’ve learned a new trick or two since before.
[With a growl, Yokira starts to armor up again. Yusuke swoops down with another punch, this time on her head, laying her flat. He grabs her by the tail and carries her up.]
Yusuke: You know I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner, but with no earth around you, you’re pretty helpless.
Yokira: ACK! Let go of my tail you punk! You think you’re pretty smart. HA!
[Yokira reaches her hand up and twist her wrist. A slab of rock from the ceiling plummets towards Yusuke. Yusuke grabs her extended wrist and flies out of the way of the boulder.]
Yusuke: Whoa. I take it back. You’re still dangerous! I guess that means I should finish it now.
[Yusuke starts spinning around, increasing in speed. He lets go of Yokira, propelling her towards where they had entered the area.]
Yusuke: SPIRIT GUN!!!
[Yokira is enclosed by the blast and falls limp to the ground. Yusuke lands beside her. He takes a deep breath. He notices the sound of breathing nearby. He turns to see Yoko Kurama starting to get up.]
Yusuke: Hey Kurama. Just take it easy, Hiei and I have things covered here.
Yoko Kurama: No. I need to aide in this battle.
Yusuke: You need to regain your strength.
Yoko Kurama: There is something that I must do before that.
Yusuke: And what’s that?
Remayolo: [cutting in] My puny brother seeks to rebel against my will. I cannot let that stand.
[Yusuke turns to see Remayolo standing behind. Yoko Kurama growls at him.]
Yusuke: I take it he’s the leader of the pack.
Remayolo: [slight chuckle] Come now, brother. Finish your friend off and you may yet be redeemed.
Yoko Kurama: I will not let you control me anymore!
Yusuke: Control you?
Yoko Kurama: Yes. As his power to control animals, if you show any inclination of instinct, he will manipulate that to his advantage.
Remayolo: [laughs] Yes. Show me some of your inner beast and I will take you over, little one. You could make quite the serviceable slave.
Yusuke: Oh yeah right! No one’s going to control me!
[Yoko Kurama steps in front of Yusuke and outstretches his arm to hold him back while glaring at Remayolo.]
Kurama: Let me handle this, Yusuke. This is a fight I must finish myself.
Yusuke: Right. But I’m here to back you up.
Okiya: [whispering behind Yusuke’s ear] Oh, Allow me to cut in.
Yusuke: [jumping] Ack! Creepy!
Remayolo: Good idea Okiya. Keep that twerp occupied. You could give this fledgling a lesson since he flies like a baby bird.
Okiya: Hm, my pleasure!
Yusuke: Oh I’ll give you a lesson, not to tick me off!
[Okiya giggles and grabs Yusuke’s arm and pulls him into the air while Remayolo’s gaze pierces into Yoko Kurama’s eyes. Yoko Kurama reverts back to his human form and takes a step to the side.]
Remayolo: You think you can defeat me like that? In your pathetic, weak, human form?
Kurama: [almost laughing] And wouldn’t it be all the more embarrassing if I did?
[Freeze frame of Kurama and Remayolo standing off, Endoya looming over Hiei, and Okiya pulling Yusuke in the air.]
“Koenma here to say, ‘Hot sweet petunias!’ Two of Kurama’s siblings are down for the count, but they still have three more! Yusuke, Hiei, and Kurama will be in real pinches and have already used up a lot of their energy! The fox demons still have more tricks up their sleeves…and that goes for all of them! Somebody has got to make it to the Ziberian Crystals, but who will it be, and what other dangers have been snooping around? Find out next time here on YuYu Hakusho Beyond! because you know you don’t want to miss it!”
