Yusuke and Hiei have gone undercover to find out more about the Order of Zerka. Changing their appearances, they were able to sneak in. Already they have made some edgy relationships as well as spotting some familiar unfriendly faces. Being new to the group they, with the other new members, must undergo a series of trials. With Hiei and Yusuke handicapped in foreign bodies, will they still be able to pass them as well as if they were still in their own?
Episode 6 : Enduring Elements
[Wind blows across the cliff with a group of around 30 demons gathered on top. Close up on Sukeyuay and then Ehay, as all eyes are fixated on the Initiatory Demon.]
Initiatory Demon: The first three challenges will be to test your physical endurance, then one to show your discernment and one to demonstrate your ingenuity. Timing and precision are important factors in your completion of the tasks as well. Providing you survive these five tasks, there will be a final challenge to tie them all together. [lifts left hand, revealing mark on wrist] Earth. [points to mountain symbol and dissolves to show Manphor’s Mountain Maze] Fire. [points to fire symbol and dissolves to show Hot Coal Burrow] Water. [points to water symbol and dissolves to show treasure in underwater cavern] Air. [points to air symbol and dissolves to show Floating Meditation Space] And Life. [touches the dividing marks then dissolves to show a griffin next to a berry bush] The elements are the key [points to key symbol] to power. [traces down to base of the mark, which holds the same shape of the mound in the distance behind] Now line up to start.
Sukeyuay: Eady-ray?
Ehay: Hn. Ush-hay
[Risho smirks to himself.]
Initiatory Demon: AND GO!!!
[The group of demons take off running towards the mountain. The first to reach the base look around for the next step then start climbing. The other demons follow, scaling the mountain side.]
Sukeyuay: [climbing, panting] Ah man! I didn’t know demons were in love with stupid nature so much!
Risho: [comes up from the side] What’s wrong? Can’t handle it? Heh.
Sukeyuay: [looks at Risho] Well, well, thanks for taking the time to see me. I’d like a word with you!
Risho: It will have to wait; I’m going to impress the Order by being the first to complete the task!
Sukeyuay: Well don’t be too disappointed when…
Risho: Hey! [points] I think they found something over there!
[Sukeyuay turns his head where Risho pointed while Risho crawls under a shrub. Sukeyuay looks back to find Risho gone.]
Sukeyuay: Hey! Where did that creep disappear to in such a short time?
Ehay: You really shouldn’t fall for such simple tricks. [scales over to the shrub Risho was last seen by] Remember he is a ninja of earth; he has the advantage in Manphor’s Mountain Maze. We would do well to follow him closely here. [pushes limbs aside and points to a hole] I presume the “maze” is on the inside where this passage leads.
[Sukeyuay follows Ehay into the passage where they find themselves in a well-lit tunnel connected to various hallways. Ehay is crouched on the ground with a hand stroking the dirt.]
Ehay: That fool left a trail that a monkey could follow. [stands and tilts head] That way.
[Ehay and Sukeyuay rush down a passage. A wall starts to emerge from above to cut them off from their passage of choice. They put on some extra speed and slide under the wall before it reaches the floor.]
Sukeyuay: That was close!
[They continue through the maze, after a turn the hallway shakes and wriggles back and forth. Sukeyuay and Ehay are bumped around then notice the space around them is growing smaller and smaller.]
Ehay: Quick! To the end of the hallway!
Sukeyuay: Yeah, before we’re crushed, [tossed] ugh, but easier said than done.
Ehay: Use your claws!
[Ehay leaps onto a wall and latches on. Digging into the sides, he appears to sprint along the wall like an ape. Sukeyuay jumps onto a wall, but its movements shake all of him except one hand off. He pulls his other hand onto the wall and secures his feet. He crawls sideways to the end of the passage. The opposing wall hits him on his back. He drops the short distance to the ground. In attempt to get up, he cannot even stand due to the caving ceiling. He crawls towards the end midst bashes and bruises. Finally he reaches the end of the passage and pulls himself out as it narrows and pinches his torso, trapping him. Ehay stands surveying the routes, while Sukeyuay pushes and scrapes at the tunnel until he finally twists himself out and plops on the ground.]
Sukeyuay: [dusting self off] You know, they call this Manphor’s Mountain Maze…it makes you wonder who this Manphor really is…
Ehay: Can’t you go for even five minutes without jabbering?
Sukeyuay: Sure, if you want to do this without me.
[Ehay continues to lead the way through the maze with Sukeyuay following.]
* * *
[Back on the cliff where the demons started the initiation, Zerk overlooks the course with Initiatory Demon, Modaruk, and other important looking Zerka Members.]
Zerk: I’m impressed at how resourceful some of our potential members are.
Initiatory Demon: This is a good bunch…only two have died so far.
Zerk: How many were planned to pass the maze?
Initiatory Demon: 20, and we estimate that 6 of them will not make it past the Hot Coal Burrow. At first we planned that only 5, maybe 7 tops would pass initiation, but already they have exceeded our expectations.
Zerk: Good.
Initiatory Demon: Pardon my intrusion, Lord Zerk, but do you think any of these new members will have the ability to rid us of our fox problem?
Zerk: Master Modaruk, what say you on the matter?
Modaruk: Hm. Possibly one or two of those rouges look promising enough to complete the whole operation single-handedly.
Initiatory Demon: Oh! Looks like Manphor got another one! Too bad for that one.
* * *
[Inside the maze Ehay and Sukeyuay make their way through a narrow yet tall corridor with enough holes in the wall to resemble Swiss cheese. Above them, Risho is watching them from one of the holes next to a ledge that leads to another hole.]
Risho: [glare] Those two are close on my trail…I can’t let them show me up! [sticks hand in wall] GRAVEL SPRAY!
[A mass of rocks and debris fall down the corridor towards Sukeyuay and Ehay. They turn at the sound.]
Sukeyuay: Oh give me a break already!
Ehay: [sends out energy blast to dissolve rocks] Stay focused or those rocks will break you!
Sukeyuay: Right.
[Sukeyuay joins Ehay in blasting the onslaught of debris. After the rocks have stopped they continue along the way and turn up one of the side passages. Ehay stops suddenly.]
Sukeyuay: What gives?
Ehay: [eyes roam between few selective passageways] There are multiple routes through here. Our friend Risho took a longer one.
Sukeyuay: Oh, so you detected a shortcut that we could take to get the better of him?
Ehay: We are almost near the end. [starts walking down detour]
* * *
[Risho walks on as rocks are flown at him. He brushes every obstacle aside. He follows a passage while the walls shift around him and stop after enclosing him in a small room with no exits.]
Risho: [pulls at hair] How did this happen? AHHHH!!! [collapses] Oh wait, [stands up] This shouldn’t be a problem! Haha! [backs up, points hands towards the wall causing it to open then shoots through with a boost from behind]
* * *
[Ehay and Sukeyuay walk along. Ehay senses something and turns. A boulder is rushing towards them; up ahead another one races towards them. With a growl, Ehay pushes Sukeyuay down an alternate route, but in turn falls down another. Just as they hit the ground two boulders crash into one another. Ehay stands, brushes himself off, and continues down his new path.]
Hiei Voiceover: Separating is unfortunate, but I gave you the shorter route.
Sukeyuay: Oh great, it looks like I fly this solo from now on. [walks down tunnel]
* * *
[George, Botan, and Teen Koenma continue to communicate from their separate spots in the tavern-like area; showing each character as they talk through their radio devices.]
Teen Koenma: [bored, tapping pencil on paper] I wonder how Yusuke and Hiei are doing.
George: Do you think their disguises worked?
Teen Koenma: [tapping faster] Of course they did! So why are we out here wondering while THEY get to find out the future of Demon World?
Botan: Because you didn’t want to look like an evil hideous demon.
Teen Koenma: I’m the ruler of Spirit World! I’m not supposed to stoop to looking that bad! [breaks pencil in half] Aren’t our disguises good enough? I wanna know what we’re not suppose to know!
Botan: Shh. Keep it down, we don’t want to draw attention.
George: That’s right, sir. Among what we do need, that isn’t one of them!
[Juri as a waitress approaches George.]
Juri: Can I get you anything?
George: [nervous sweatdrop] Oh thanks. I’ll have another O.J.
Juri: [smile] Right. [sweatdrop] With all that talking to your cookie, I don’t think you need any more to drink!
George: [holding up cookie-shaped radio {blooper, radio-shaped cookie}] Oh this? Haheh, [lying nervously] I’d rather talk to my food than play with it, you know? Like mother said, right? See it’s no big deal!
[George takes a bite of the cookie-radio that causes big static in Botan’s and Teen Koenma’s ears that makes Teen Koenma’s mask fall off then his and Botan’s eyes pop.]
* * *
[Risho is speeding through walls laughing manically. Outside the mountain a small explosion from the side indicates Risho busting out. Close up on Risho as the dust clears and he looks around.]
Risho: What? No! [zoom out; despaired scream] I’m back where I started!
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
[Ehay reaches the volcanic underground center of the maze. Walking along the edge of the cavern, he comes across a gap in the wall and bends down to look in it.]
Hiei’s Voiceover: So this is Hot Coal Burrow. What those fools don’t realize is that I am right at home here.
[Ehay crawls into the burrow.]
* * *
[Sukeyuay sits thinking in a dead end. He hears humming and stands to face the approaching figure. A short, fat dwarf with yellow boots hops up to Sukeyuay.]
Dwarf: Hello there, are you lost?
Sukeyuay: I suppose you could put it that way…
Dwarf: Oh me, oh my! What a dilemma for you! [hops around Sukeyuay, humming]
Sukeyuay: Who are you?
Dwarf: The name is Manphor! And this is my home you have intruded upon!
Sukeyuay: So you’re Manphor…a little humming creature with big yellow boots…
Manphor: You probably want to get out of this maze, that is, if you have half a brain. [continues hopping around Sukeyuay]
Sukeyuay: [disdainfully] I dunno…it is pretty comfy in here…
Manphor: In that case stay. I enjoy company. [hops around]
Sukeyuay: Oh do you? With all the tunnels and traps I never would have guessed.
Manphor: They’re a lot of fun aren’t they? [smiles innocently]
Sukeyuay: Why do you keep hopping around me? Are you trying to make me dizzy?!
Manphor: Hmmm…
[Sukeyuay blinks and starts to see Manphor multiply, still hopping around him. Manphor continues humming while hopping.]
Sukeyuay: What are you doing?
Manphor: [singing] I like to mine for pretty gem, the precious most from you will stem.
[Four hopping Manphors solidify and surround Sukeyuay. They stop to face him. Each one in unison pulls out a pick.]
Manphors: [singing] We dig a hole; to steal your soul; and then we laugh all day!
Sukeyuay: Wait a minute! My soul?
Manphors: [singing] We treat it well; the sphere will tell; and jingle all the way!
[The Head Manphor pulls out a small clear ball with an open lid. It levitates in the air while the Manphors hold their picks back. Sukeyuay steps back as the Manphors swing at him. Three miss, but the Manphor behind Sukeyuay hits the back of his calf. Sukeyuay screams in pain while the Manphors look at him quizzically.]
Head Manphor: You weren’t supposed to move.
Sukeyuay: [reaches down and pulls pick out of leg] What? Did you expect I’d just let you dig away at me? Not a chance! I like my soul in me, thank you very much!
Back Manphor: [jumps, reaching for pick] Gimme! That’s mine!
Sukeyuay: Sorry, I think you guys are too little to be hopping around with sharp objects; you could poke an eye out! [swings pick in a low arc in front of other three Manphors, knocking their picks out of hand then swings overhand to smash the floating ball]
Head Manphor: So you prefer to invoke our wrath! Get him!
[The Manphors tackle Sukeyuay at his feet. They bite his legs. Sukeyuay crouches, then springs into a back flip which sends the Manphors flying to the wall. He lands, looks at them for a moment, then turns and starts running.]
Head Manphor: [shouting after him] You won’t get away!
* * *
[Again Risho is busting through the walls and this time reaches the volcanic underground center and Hot Coal Burrow.]
Risho: Aw, now this is what I’m talking about. [places a hand in the Burrow] Ow, it’s hot in there. [backs up] Better get some protection… [roles in the earth] ARMOR OF CLAY! [armors up then crawls over hot coals] I’ll show them all! They can’t beat me! [lava worms pop out from above and below and fasten themselves around his limbs] Hey! What? GET OFF!
[Risho struggles with the lava worms, but they latch on to him.]
* * *
[Sukeyuay runs down a hall, then slips into a hole and slides down and falls out in the volcanic underground center of the maze. The sound of Manphors voices are heard above him and grow quiet.]
Sukeyuay: [wincing] Ow, they really should put up warning signs. At least I gave them the slip. [stands up and brushes off bottom] Oh hey, it looks like I finally finished the first task. [walks over to wall and bends to look inside the gap] Hello Hot Coal Burrow!
Yusuke Voiceover: If it isn’t the classic hot coals routine… [sarcastic] my favorite. I think this rugged body can stand up to the heat. [crawls over hot coals] It appears to be sealing up the wound in my leg, but crawling along this intense heat is going to leave some scars. I’d like to see Pretty-Boy, Zerk the jerk doing all this.
Sukeyuay: [spots Risho up ahead] Well, well, what do you know?
[Lava worms continue to hold Risho captive. Sukeyuay crawls into his view.]
Risho: GET OFF OF ME YOU PEST! [spots Sukeyuay] Hey!
Sukeyuay: Oh? Do you have time now for that word I wanted with you?
Risho: No way!
Sukeyuay: That’s too bad; I was going to offer to help you out before that clay armor baked you like a cake in an oven.
Risho: Like I need you’re help! I’ll get out of this and still beat you!
Sukeyuay: Yeah right, loser! Hahaha [worm pops out of coals, tying right fist to ground] Hey! What the? [another worm grips on] Aw man! I don’t have time for this!
Risho: Who’s the loser now?
Sukeyuay: I’d say you! [blasts worms as they emerge]
* * *
[On a shore close to the mountain base, Ehay emerges from water with a string of doubloons in hand then jumps up surrounding crags.]
* * *
[Sukeyuay crawls out of Hot Coal Burrow into an underground grotto. A pool is nearby.]
Sukeyuay: That was a tight squeeze. [looks back at the Burrow] Well two tasks down, I better pick up speed for the third. [runs to the water] CANONBALL! [splashes into pool]
* * *
Initiatory Demon: They all have passed the fire test or died. A few have fallen victim to the Sea Creatures, barely as many as we have assumed would drop here.
Modaruk: I still see one in the Fire Element that is still hanging on.
Initiatory Demon: He is as good as worm food. Besides, there won’t be enough doubloon strings for everyone if he does survive.
Zerk: Then the slowest will be weeded out. No loss there.
* * *
[Sukeyuay swims up with a string of doubloons in hand. A mer-octopus swims up to him but he blasts it. It sinks, leaving a black ink cloud for him to dodge. A demon with gills shoots by him, towards the treasure cove.]
Yusuke Voiceover: Stupid ogre of a body…it’s so slow! [resumes swimming up]
* * *
[A griffin bites the berry twig held in front of its mouth. Ehay tosses the twig aside then walks away from the peaceful griffin.]
* * *
[Risho crawls, scorched, out of the Burrow. After a few pants, he crawls up to the pool and falls in. Still wearing his Armor of Clay, he is now sinking down towards the treasure cove. About to cross his path is Sukeyuay and the demon with gills.]
Gilly Demon: [to Risho] You’re a bit slow buddy! I just got the last one! [waves his string of doubloons then shoots towards the surface]
Risho: [voiceover] WHAT?!?! They can’t do this to me! [notices Sukeyuay and glares] Are you still planning to beat me? [grabs Sukeyuay’s string of doubloons]
[Sukeyuay and Risho struggle over the doubloons]
Yusuke Voiceover: Hey! What’s the big idea? I got this first!
[Risho makes his armor shoot off. Sukeyuay shields his eyes from the blast, but then finds Risho swimming off with the doubloons. He follows but is slower than Risho, who escapes from view.]
Yusuke voiceover: Oh just my luck! [swims back to the trove and looks around in hope to find another string of doubloons] Come on…there’s got to be another somewhere. [inspects behind all surrounding rocks.] Oh drat… [in desperation scans the barren room again] WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!?!
“Yo! It’s Yusuke here to tell you…WHAT SORT OF STUPID ORGANIZATION IS THIS!? The people in charge muse over how promising we all are, but then when it comes down to it, they don’t care if we die! I mean, how hard would it have been for them to have more doubloon strings stored? But no, I’m stuck underwater and running out of air fast! And the worst is yet to come, as Hiei will find out for the final part of this stupid, immature, high school initiation junk. Brush up on your dragon legends, next time on YuYu Hakusho Beyond!”
