Previously Yusuke, Hiei, and Kurama were battling Kurama's demon siblings. It took all their strength, but they managed to pull through. Proceeding to the heart of the Crystal Caverns, they found the legendary Ziberian Crystals embedded in a piano. Sensing their legendary power to be real they were faced with the choice to take them or leave them. Not wanting to upset the balance of Demon World, they left the crystals safeguarded in the caverns and went on their way back to Zerka. But will coming back empty-handed be the most beneficial move for them to discover what they want to know?
Episode 13 : Zerk's Ploy
[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...
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
[Modaruk stands in front of Sukeyuay, Ehay, and Rumakay in the demon-style bedroom.]
Modaruk: The decision to promote you does not seem favorable with the council at this time. Even so, I'm sure by now you have witnessed enough to understand that they have to be stopped.
Sukeyuay: They might not be the only ones.
Modaruk: Word has it, that the way was already paved for you at the caverns. If the other higher ups knew about that, they would instantly label you frauds and execute you. Don't tell me you'll support them when you're in such a predicament.
Sukeyuay: So how do you expect to stop Zerka?
Modaruk: Tomorrow my brother, Sotaruk, will lead the attack during the order's meeting. By then, they will have freed Draconta, who rightfully belongs to us. And with us on the inside, we will catch Zerka off guard.
Ehay: So you plan to destroy them all.
Modaruk: Exactly. If they live, they will only go on to kill others. They plan for of them to win the next Demon World Tournament to gain Zerka's control of this world. Then they will exterminate all the weak demons here and use the rest to march on the Human World and take it over. Mass deaths will result which will flood Spirit World, causing them to be busy with their own task and quite prone to assaults. Zerk will dethrone King Yama and rule all three worlds. Of course his followers only know that they need to be strong to make Demon World how they each individually envision it. You can't possibly agree with these tactics.
Rumakay: True, but are your intentions honorable?
Modaruk: I find them honorable to save the greater whole.
Rumakay: There must be a better solution than mass slaughter.
Modaruk: These fighters have been trained to kill until killed. They will not change.
Sukeyuay: And Zerk?
Modaruk: Has an unwavering desire for ultimate power. I have tried reasoning with him and the rest of the council, but they do not respond. I had continued even though it put my position at jeopardy. Their plans remain the same.
Sukeyuay: I suppose we could help you on this, but something still bugs me.
Modaruk: And what is that.
Sukeyuay: You said Draconta belongs to you? How come Zerka has it?
Modaruk: Fair question. I am from the Dragon Clan. [complimentary flashback images] Draconta was like a God to us with its power and resources. It had taught us many of it's secrets. It provided for us and we respected it almost to the point of worship. While Zerk was forming the order of Zerka, they had raided us. Compared to them, we were weak. We lost. They killed all of us, except for our strongest. I was included. They offered us to join them, but we refused...except for myself. It had appeared that I had turned traitor to my clan while the others perished. What Zerk didn't know is that many of the clan secretly survived. We have been training not only for revenge, but to prohibit such actions from happening in the future towards others. [end flashback images]
Sukeyuay: Well thank you for finally informing us! You couldn't have just told us before we tracked all over Demon World for some non-existing treasure! You couldn't have planned the attack before sending us on some stupid goose chase.
Modaruk: I'll admit I had hoped you to bring crystals back for the Clan's use. Nonetheless, I wanted you to form an unbiased opinion of the situation before presenting my case.
Rumakay: Why choose us for help?
Modaruk: You are all powerful. You rapidly increased your strength in the past. As expected, you all did so now. Each of your energy levels has easily surpassed 500K. Draconta and the Clan should be able to take care of the bulk of Zerka, but I need you guys to help me with the higher ups. I'll be counting on you to annihilate the other leaders while I deal with Zerk. I believe you can handle that much since you managed to take care of the pack of fox demons.
Rumakay: [gasp then apprehensive] How did you know about the foxes?
Modaruk: Zerk's been trying to get rid of them for some time since they refused to aid him. Going as far as to track them to keep them from interfering with his plans and to dispose of them at a time of weakness. And with Kurama around the timing seemed too perfect to achieve both goals in one move. [sigh] I guess you really can't kill two birds with one stone.
[Sukeyuay raises, grabs Modaruk, and shakes him.]
Sukeyuay: So you knowingly sent us to kill Kurama's siblings? And you expect us to help you after that?
Modaruk: Now don't confuse what I did with Zerka. I may have been in tabs with the tracker, but keep in mind that it was Zerk's intention for you to dispose of the foxes.
[Sukeyuay lets go of Modaruk and turns. The shadow of his brow covers his eyes.]
Sukeyuay: So they won't continue to hurt people?
Modaruk: Precisely.
* * *
[Around the sleeping mountain of Draconta, a red skinned, yellow-orange haired demon lurks. He looks similar to Modaruk in shape and bares a similar dragon tattoo that ranges from one arm, around his neck, and up the opposite side of his face. Reaching one of Draconta's heads, he pats the chin as high as he can reach with his hand that his tattoo is on. He sets his opposite cheek on Draconta and the tattoo glows softly. The dragon lets out a purring roar and lifts it's other head to look.]
Demon: Don't fear Draconta, it is your faithful son, Sotaruk. The time is come to free you and avenge the clan.
[Draconta shrinks to the form and size of a two headed komodo dragon.]
Draconta : [both heads speaking simultaneously] Thank you, my son. I am glad to see you are well.
Sotaruk: Fortunately, through wisdom you had bestowed upon us; a great deal of us had survived.
Draconta: Splendid. That nasty Zerk would not come within five hundred feet of me knowing I would tear him apart.
Sotaruk: You will get your chance soon enough. The barrier is almost broken.
Draconta: Then let us be on our way.
[Sotaruk mounts Draconta. Draconta slinks towards Zerka's headquarters.]
* * *
[Zerk is addressing the members of Zerka. Sukeyuay sits by Gavarian, Ehay between Marduk and Ossaplam, and Rumakay behind Risho.]
Zerk: It is our duty to perfect the world. We are the strong. Those who are weaker cannot carry the burden needed to create Utopia. True, it is hard work, but it will be worth it. Do not let them hold us back. The time has come for us to spread the word that change is upon us. All those potentially worthy to survive must join our cause or...
[Zerk is cut off by a loud rumble as the room shakes. The ceiling slides off, causing debris to fall. Above, Draconta loops in the air. Swooping down, many Dragon Clan members jump off into the mass of Zerka, triggering chaos. Sukeyuay, Ehay, and Rumakay run up to the front while dropping their disguises. As Yusuke, Hiei, and Kurama they attack the prominent figures. Zerk powers up a fist while glaring at Draconta but Modaruk jumps him from behind. Zerk turns and counters Modaruk's second attack.]
Zerk: So now you finally show your true intentions.
[Modaruk continues to throw punches at Zerk which are all blocked.]
Modaruk: You really believed I'd be happy to work under you after you slaughtered my people? Your destruction ends now by your own destruction!
[Modaruk puts his hands together and pushes out an energy blast towards Zerk. Zerk lifts his left hand and an air current shoots out that fizzles the energy blast.]
Zerk: Why do you start with such trivial attacks when you know my strength is above them? If you're serious, then we should stop wasting time and fight at full power.
[Zerk attacks with water streaming out of his hand, blowing Modaruk back. Kurama stands in front of one of the prominent figures, brandishing his rose whip.]
Kurama: I'll give you one warning. Renounce this operation of domination or perish.
Prominent Figure #1: Heh. We've come too far to give up because of rogues like you.
[Kurama lashes his whip but the prominent figure jumps over Kurama while simultaneously flinging ice blades at Kurama. Hiei clashes his katana with another prominent figure's ivory club.]
Prominent Figure #2: Shiny little sword, but it will prove no use to you. I laugh to think you're using it against my dragon molar!
Hiei: [growls] We'll see who'll be laughing.
[The prominent figure pushes Hiei back with his club and swings, knocking Hiei's katana out of his hands. Yusuke punches and blocks against the other prominent figure.]
Prominent Figure #3: Are you sure you're fighting on the right side? If you join us then you could have a bright future ahead of you.
Yusuke: Yeah, I've been listening to what you guys have to say. So if I beat you, then obviously you are too weak and don't deserve to survive? I can go with that.
Prominent Figure #3: If that is your choice, then I won't go easy on you.
[Yusuke throws a punch to the prominent figure's face, which the prominent figure slips around and chops Yusuke's neck from behind. Throughout the hall, Zerka members battle against the members of the Dragon Clan. Different elemental and dragon-based attacks rage inside the struggle. Draconta swirls around in the air with Sotaruk riding on one head and the Mermaid riding on the other. Ominous sickly green clouds cumulate around Draconta's path. Thunder rumbles as the overhead threat gathers and grows. A distinctive lighting bolt crashes against the sky. Zerk eyes the flash then smirks towards Modaruk, brushing aside another one of his attacks.]
Zerk: I see you released the beast you revere so much.
[Modaruk powers up his fist for an explosive punch.]
Modaruk: You had no right to cage Draconta in that barrier. Now your destruction is eminent.
[While Modaruk throws his punch, Zerk shoots out an energy wave that forces him back.]
Zerk: You may want to avenge your clan, but you obviously forgot that day. How we conquered and captured your kind. That barrier also protected Draconta from me!
[Zerk swirls around and points two fingers in the air. A powerful blue lightning bolt shoots out and connects with Draconta. Draconta screeches and curls up, plummeting towards the battle.]
Modaruk: DRACONTA!
[Landing a short distance from the melee, the ground shakes, causing most of the fighters to loose their balance. After recovering, many of the fighters on the Dragon Clan's side look up in shock and horror.]
Yusuke: NO!
"This is Kayko. I'm worried about Yusuke. He has been gone for so long now. Off fighting, I know he enjoys it, but things are being neglected in his absence. So many enemies but there are friends to help along the way. Both the worst and most magnificent is yet to come. But will one solution only lead to another problem? Oh Yusuke! Please take care. Please be all right. And please don't do anything stupid! I want you to come back to me, next time on YuYu Hakusho Beyond!"
