[Kurama passes his energy into the tree that is encompassing Yusuke. Only Yusuke’s face can be seen as the limbs wrap and tighten around him.]
Kurama: Don’t bother struggling any more.
Yusuke: I’ll warn you once. Release me, or stand back.
[Kurama looks up in doubt.]
Kurama: I’m making this too dense to penetrate.
Yusuke: Not for the Spirit Wave. You gave your all. Here’s mine!
[Yusuke powers up. His eyes start glowing. The tree rustles, and Kurama bites his lip. Kurama places his other hand and lets out more energy. Yusuke completes his tactic as a light blue aura illuminates the area and expands. The tree dissolves, leaving Yusuke floating as a shiny white wave discharges. Kurama is blown back by this surge of power. The wave lasts for a while then dies out. Yusuke floats back down to the ground, landing in front of Kurama’s body.]
Yusuke: [sighs] Sorry, old friend.
[Yusuke turns and walks towards the fortress side of the canyon.]
Yusuke Voiceover: Man that was tough; I don’t think I could take another beating like that any time soon. I don’t even have enough energy left to fly any more.
[Yusuke bends down by the waterfall to get a drink. He senses something behind him.]
Yusuke: Oh great, me and my big mouth.
[Yusuke rises then turns. He is now face to face with Kurama. Kurama stands tall with none of the wounds he was left with.]
Yusuke: I knocked you unconscious back there. What gives?
Kurama: Heh, heh. Gave everything, and now you’re too weak to fight back? I thought you would have learned better by now.
[The air fills with pollen. Yusuke holds his breath with a glare. He paces to the side, but a branch juts out from the canyon wall, hitting Yusuke on the back of the neck. Yusuke’s mouth opens as he falls to the ground.]
* * *
[In Koenma’s office, the scene fizzles out to white noise.]
Koenma: [bawling] What is with this unusually high amount of spiritual storms?
George: Oh, don’t make me go fix it again, Koenma sir. George is scared of heights!
Koenma: George is scared of spankings too, isn’t he?
[George gulps. Ayame enters through the wall.]
Ayame: Koenma, sir.
Koenma: [takes a deep breath] Yes. What is it?
Ayame: All completed test results show only positive outcomes. There are a few more tests that can be run, but we have run out of energy samples.
Koenma: Very well. According to the pattern, the barrier should wane soon.
Ayame: We shall stand ready to gather another sample then.
[Ayame bows then exits through the wall. Koenma strokes his chin in thought. A light bulb turns on over his head as he slaps a fist onto his palm.]
Koenma: HA! I got it!
George: Got what, Koenma sir? The last word on your crossword puzzle?
Koenma: Now don’t you start acting funny too! I figured out what’s going on, you dolt!
George: But the testing isn’t finished yet! How do you know?
Koenma: Because I’m the Mighty Koenma. The reason all the tests show good outcomes is because the energy must be good.
George: Meaning there is no threat? So you sent the detectives there for nothing?
Koenma: Keep your cool. They’re not in any danger. And Kurama isn’t the bad guy. He’s only training them!
George: Do you really think that is the case, Koenma sir?
Koenma: Well Yusuke just blasted the crud out of Kurama, and only a moment later he’s standing in front of him in mint condition. He must have used that energy we’ve been picking up to heal himself. Apparently it works faster than Genkai’s Spirit Wave Technique!
George: So Kurama will teach the others about this new energy?
Koenma: Most likely. But I’m still worried. If Kurama went out of his way to put this together, then that must mean he knows of something bad approaching.
George: That didn’t do us any good. Now we’re back at square one!
Koenma: Ogre. I don’t know why I have to reason with you.
* * *
[Kurama enters the room with the Cloaked Master. He holds Yusuke on his shoulder with his feet trailing behind. The Cloaked Master puts a hand in front of Yusuke’s sleeping face.]
Cloaked Master: You fool. You exhausted nearly all his energy in capturing him.
Kurama: Blame M7. He fought this guy to the death.
Cloaked Master: Another unanticipated loss. [waves hand with ring glowing] Hook this one up. We’ll get what energy we can from him.
[Kurama drags Yusuke across the room. They pass a sleeping Kuwabara who is locked hand and foot to a giant metal circle. Plant-like cords are wound around the device. A sunflower-like plant is growing in front of him with the bloom close to his face. Kurama stops in front of a similar contraption next to Kuwabara and places a hand on it. Cords come down and attach to Yusuke and pull him up. Yusuke starts to stir. Kurama locks the clamps around Yusuke’s wrists and ankles. When the locks are in place, a plant sprouts up and blooms in front of Yusuke’s face. After a few blinks, Yusuke falls back asleep.]
Kurama: I overheard this one ask if Midori was part of the scheme.
Cloaked Master: Interesting. But capturing this one took longer than anticipated. Time is running short; we cannot take chances catching the last one. The rattlesnake vines should have sent him to the barracks. Take M3 and M5 there with you. We must capture our final guest with full force immediately!
Kurama: Do it yourself. I’m supposed to help out with the orb now.
Cloaked Master: [unemotional] Excuse me?
[The Cloaked Master raises her hand towards Kurama. The ring on it starts to glow.]
Cloaked Master: [flatly] You will take reinforcements to the barracks and capture the last one now.
[The Cloaked Master waves from Kurama towards the door, her ring pulsing. Kurama gives a nod.]
Kurama: Yes, master.
[Kurama begins to exit the room.]
Cloaked Master: The new moon is almost upon us.
* * *
[Outside view of the Foliage Fortress. Soft rumble starts and the entire fortress starts shaking. The fortress lifts off the ground. After reaching space, the fortress is seen orbiting the earth.]
Cloaked Master Voiceover: [prophetic echoing] A full moon shall shine doom when the earth’s is new and gone.
Narrator: Like a rocket, the Foliage Fortress heads towards its cosmic destination destroy the world. With only Hiei left free, can the impending catastrophe be diverted? Or will things turn out to be not as they seem?
