[Kuwabara falls into a room filled with vegetation.]
Kuwabara: Ow. Eh. Well, I’m still alive. [looks around, calling out] Hey guys, are you around? [no answer; starts walking] Told them that the bad guy probably wanted to split us up…[passes some demon berries growing on a wall and his tummy grumbles] Oh, man! I haven’t eaten since breakfast! I bet Kurama would know if this stuff is edible for humans. [keeps walking] After all, there are some pretty dangerous plants out there. I bet all these demon ones are ten times worse! [bends over a bush in the middle of the path] Leaves of three, let it be! I should stay away from that stuff. [sees berries that resemble small grapes nearby and tummy lets out a loud grumble, shouts] I am so hungry!
[Some bushes rustle to the side. Kuwabara turns his head and catches some movement.]
Kuwabara: Huh? Hey, is that you Kurama? I mean, I’m glad to have someone else around, but you know I can see you, right?
[Kurama comes out of the bushes and walks up to Kuwabara.]
Kurama: Oh, sorry. I suppose I was distracted.
Kuwabara: Really? By what?
Kurama: Nothing of real consequence. I couldn’t help but overhear you talking to yourself; if you’re hungry, I know of some human safe food nearby. Come this way.
[Kurama leads Kuwabara around plants.]
Kuwabara: Oh good, you’re a lifesaver! After I settle my stomach, we can focus on regrouping.
Kurama: An excellent idea.
Kuwabara: And then we’ll find our way to the center of this.
Kurama: That should be the easy task.
Kuwabara: Really? You mean you figured out how to navigate through here?
Kurama: Naturally. The trick is simple once you realize it.
Kuwabara: Awesome! We’ll be home in time for dinner!
[Kurama stops. Kuwabara also stops. Kurama waves a hand towards some vegetation at their feet.]
Kurama: Here we are.
Kuwabara: Sweet! [looks down] Uh, what is it?
Kurama: Kohlrabi. It is a human hybrid vegetable, kind of like a cabbage. The stem is edible, and it’s high in vitamin C.
Kuwabara: Nutritious, huh? I hope it tastes just as good. Good thing I ran into you.
[Kuwabara bends down to pick the kohlrabi. Kurama’s eyes twinkle and giant leaves grow and wrap up Kuwabara.]
Kuwabara: HEY, WHAT GIVES? Kurama! Get me out of this!
[Kurama chuckles and brings a closed hand out of his pocket.]
Kurama: I’m sorry, it may be easier if you were unconscious from this point out; but don’t worry. I’ll get you to the center where you want to be. And the others should join you shortly.
[Kurama opens his hand and blows pollen towards Kuwabara. Kuwabara starts to look sleepy.]
Kuwabara: What…are you…do-…
[Kuwabara blinks his eyes then slowly closes them as the scene blurs and fades out.]
* * *
[The shadowy cloaked figure that confronted Kaisei and Fubuki travels down an earthy corridor. Kaisei and Fubuki are tied up, swinging on either side from the cords supported around the cloaked figure’s shoulders. The figure enters a dark stony room, and another cloaked figure turns to acknowledge the arrival.]
Cloaked Figure: Master, I caught these two children prowling around the fortress.
Cloaked Master: [deep feminine voice] Such a shame.
Cloaked Figure: What shall I do with them?
Kaisei: Excuse me! Don’t talk about us like we’re not here! You should let us go and then we’ll show you who’s boss around here!
Fubuki: Yeah! You wouldn’t have caught us if we knew about that sleazy trick of yours!
Cloaked Master: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Ignorant children.
Kaisei: This is your only warning. Stop your mischief and let us go, or face the consequences!
Cloaked Master: Pity. [addressing the detectives] You two weren’t supposed to be here.
Kaisei: Wha-
Cloaked Master: This party was by invitation only. [addressing the cloaked figure] Oh well, M7, I guess we’ll have to make arrangements. Set them in the corner.
M7: Yes, master.
[The Cloaked Master raises her right hand towards the corner; One finger bears an emerald ring that has a glowing, rose-shaped ruby attached. M7 walks over, the cords around his shoulders drop Kaisei and Fubuki, and then he steps back. The Cloaked Master flicks her hand up, and bamboo chutes shoot from the ground to cage the detectives.]
Cloaked Master: I’ll use resources here to deal with these two. Now go to the canyon; we’ve already lost enough time as it is.
M7: Yes master.
Cloaked Master: I hope we don’t have any more surprise visitors.
* * *
[Koenma sits back in his office chair with his hands folded across his stomach.]
Koenma: [sighing] Ayame, has the analysis come back yet about that energy?
[Ayame appears through the wall, carrying a clipboard of data sheets.]
Ayame: None yet, sir. All the possibilities of it being a threat come out as negative when run in the scenarios.
Koenma: So this must be a new form of energy that is being stored and hidden.
Ayame: There are still some more tests to run.
Koenma: Well, keep it going and try to figure out what it is. We can’t counter it if we don’t know at least that much!
Ayame: Yes, sir.
[Ayame bows and exits through the wall.]
Koenma: [calling out] And get someone to check on the viewer’s reception. What am I suppose to do about this if I can’t see what’s going on?
George: Perhaps all the paperwork that has been piling up?
Koenma: How can you think of that mundane stuff at a time like this?! If we don’t get this crisis solved, we’ll have paperwork to keep us busy for the next forty thousand years!
George: Whoa! Really that much?
Koenma: That’s what I said.
George: This is really serious.
Koenma: Of course it is! Now go check on the antenna!
* * *
[The Cloaked Master has her hands raised to the corner where the detectives were placed, which now has plants weaved into a tight surface around the area. Kurama enters, dragging a rolled up Kuwabara.]
Kurama: I have one of them.
[The Cloaked Master waves her right hand as the ruby rose of her ring glows.]
Cloaked Master: About time plans started falling into place. Hook him up to the Energy Extractor and set it to maximum. His energy should make a useful contribution to our Death Beam.
[Kurama crosses with Kuwabara, but stops while passing the Cloaked Master.]
Kurama: [whispers] Seeing me didn’t surprise him, master.
Cloaked Figure: Is that so? That can only mean one thing. He will certainly cause a problem for us. No matter, we must work harder. For now only time will be on our side.
Kurama: Yes, master.
[Kurama continues walking. The Cloaked Master turns, and Kurama stops.]
Cloaked Master: Actually, have the Energy Extractor a few notches below maximum so we can keep this one alive for a bit.
Kurama: As you say.
[Kurama resumes walking. Freeze frame.]
Narrator: Entered as a group, but now split apart. Divide and conquer works against our heroes as an ally has defected to the terrorist power. But by what motive does the foe operate, and who will prevail in the end?
