Episode 56: Yoko’s Magic

 

Narrator: Kurama is now in the throes of battle with team Toguro's Karasu.  With this being the first match of the Dark Tournament's
finals Kurama is determined to win by whatever means necesary.  The Mystical potion he recieved has taken effect just in time, barely
saving him from Karasu's deadly bomb, and transforming him into Yoko Kurama.  Will this be enough? Or will the legendary demon
have to give up his life?

Title: Yoko’s Magic

 

(Karasu's “Trace Eyes” fly at Kurama’s demon self with the intent to kill. Kurama’s Energy flairs destroying the winged bombs instantly. Yusuke, Kuwabara , the girls and much of the spectators in attendance gasp in awe and fear at the shear intensity of power that Kurama had just exhibited as a demonic plant is born from the unleashed energy.  As the cloud of dust and smoke settles Kurama stands with a smug expression surrounded by gigantic thorn covered stalks of the Ojigi plant.)

Yoko: The Ojigi is a truly gifted species of plant.  It can sense the smallest amount of movement. Even something as insignificant as a muscle spasm.

(One of the Ojigi stalks rears up it’s head like tendril baring its saliva dripping fangs and opens its leaves revealing a larger second mouth as it gives a blood curdling screech. The other stalks squirm as they sense prey close by.)

Yoko: So you see, it's useless to run, it would only make you easier to catch.

(The Ojigi stalks slither at Karasu. Karasu deftly dodges their strikes but each time the attacking plant does come too dangerously close for his comfort. Yusuke and Kuwabara cheer on Kurama believing that their Kitsune friend has a very good chance of winning his match.)

Koto: Oh wow, folks! Things are really starting to heat up.  It's dinnertime and Karasu's the catch of the day!

Kuwabara: This is it!!  He's plant food!

Yusuke: KICK HIS ASS, KURAMA!!

 

(Kurama cockily taunts Karasu from where he stands in control of the demonic Ojigi.)

Yoko: It must be hard for you to lose control.

(More Ojigi burst from the ring and strike at Karasu. In an attempt to defend his life Karasu throws a grenade at a stalk close to him effectively setting it on fire. The stalk screeches in pain as it is incinerated. However Karasu’s attack had only succeeded in making the other Ojigi stalks mad. The head like mouths of the Ojigi start spitting fiery blasts of dark energy in fury. Karasu dodges the dark energy blasts and tosses another grenade at an on coming stalk, once again earning the Ojigi’s wrath.)

Yoko: The Ojigi also responds to aggression, so it will be all the more vicious once you attack

(The Ojigi stalks attack as one, Karasu lands on his knees and is unable to get up in time. He watches as the Ojigi stalks close in on him. Kurama taunts Karasu using the same gesture that Karasu had used to intimidate his human form. )

Yoko: You're going to have to come up with a smart way to kill it, or else, bang!

(One of the stalks grabs Karasu lifting him up in the air and starts to crush him. Blood flies of Karasu’s mouth as his mask some how unlatches itself from his face, and falls to the ground. The other stalks latch on to Karasu cocooning him in their deadly embrace. The audience is horrified as it looks like the first member of Team Toguro has been beaten with out much struggle.)

Yoko: (Scoffs)  I thought it was going to last much longer than that.  I would’ve liked to have toyed with him a little before he died.

(Juri stares upward in excitement as it begins to look as though the match may finally be over. Kuwabara and Yusuke crow ecstatically over how close they are to victory. Koenma is however in shock over what he had just witnessed.)

Koto: That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.  Kurama's plant just grabbed Karasu and juiced him like a fresh orange.  I never would have thought botany could be so deliciously gruesome!

Kuwabara: Kurama sure should that punk what was up! And he closed the deal in a measly five minutes!  Eat that, Toguro!

Yusuke: Yes!  Two more wins and it's done.

Koenma:  Holy Toledo, I didn't know Kurama could do that. Remind me never to make that guy mad.

(Koenma's head changes from teenage form to toddler form)

Blue Ogre: Oh Koenma, sir!  Koenma, sir, look up!

Koenma: What?!

Blue Ogre: I'm sorry sir, but your face is leaking!

Koenma: Crap!  This is always so embarrassing.

(Koenma covers his face with his hat and pushes it as if he was molding something out of clay.  When he pulls off his hat again he has changes his head back to his teenage form. The girls watch eagerly for the announcement of Kurama’s obvious victory.)

Keiko: I can't believe it, Kurama won!

Shizuru: Don't get me wrong, I love my bro, but it's nice to see someone not embarrass himself.

(The constrict and then go still signifying that Karasu had stopped fighting them and has succumbed to his death. Kurama gives a cocky smirk in satisfaction and then starts off to rejoin his companions. Juri remains sitting dumb struck as though she was feeling really glad that it was not her up there.)

Koto: Hey Juri, get the lead out!  It's time to tell us who's won!

Juri: Oh, right!!

 

(Juri remembers her duty and stands up to cheerfully announce Kurama as the winner.)
      
Juri: Um, it looks like Karasu has been soundly defeated and the winner of the first match is Team Urameshi's Kurama!

(The cocoon of Ojigis descend startling Juri. Kurama stops at once realizing that something was wrong. )

Juri: Hey, stay back!

 

(Kurama whirls around in surprise as the cocoon suddenly explodes. The Urameshi team and the Botan all gasp in shock that Karasu is still alive. Juri shrieks in fear. The Urameshi Team and Botan gasp is disbelief as the smoke clears revealing Karasu who is minus his mask, but still very much alive and well. )

Karasu: I wouldn't count me out just yet.

 

(Juri hurriedly recants her ruling and dejectedly walks out of the Ring where she could be safe.)

Juri: Oh I am so, so sorry, that was entirely my fault.  Everyone, forget what I just said!  The fight will now continue, okay! This is insane!

(Juri sighs and then looks at the combatants in an annoyed fashion.)

Juri: I don't know how much more of this I can take.

(The crowd cheers with the fact Karasu is still alive. Karasu sneers at Kurama while blood drips down the side of his mouth.)

Karasu: You look surprised Yoko. Did you think that was the last you'd see of me?

Elder Toguro: Karasu has lost his dear old mask.

Toguro: Indeed he did.  Take a few steps back Sakyo. Things are about to get hazardous.

(Sakyo at once takes Toguro’s advice and moves back somewhat. Karasu starts to inhale all the flammable components of the air. Causing his hair to turn from coal black to golden blond. His energy glowing brightly around him.

Koto: Brace yourself people, Karasu's back and he's not too happy!  His hair has also changed from jet black to hyper-glow blonde.  To follow the stereotype, that means he's popular and more aggressive!

Kuwabara: Can someone fill me in here, what's going on with his hair?

Hiei: It's an explicit sign that he's internalizing his power,  which means the bombs he creates are now inside of him, virtually making him one giant explosive.

Yusuke: Are you serious!

Hiei: Of course I am.  If my assumptions are correct, he's about to detonate.  If you're wise now you'll take cover now.

 

(Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Koenma panic. Kurama steps back somewhat but he doesn’t do anything to prevent or counter what’s happening. Almost as if he was interested in seeing what Karasu was capable of.  Karasu laughs manically as he causes his energy to form into an orb which expands until it swallows him. Kurama shields his eyes with one hand as the glow coming from Karasu continues to grow. )

Toguro: I think you should know Karasu has no loyalties.  He'll kill everyone in this stadium if he thinks it'll help.

 

(Sakyo steps further behind Toguro. Karasu jumps into the air and suspends himself there still cackling like a mad man. Before hurling himself at Kurama. Part of the stadium explodes and the Urameshi team is sent flying. All around the parts of the stadium that were closest to the point of impact are rubble and dead apparitions. Some of who are strewn across or buried under the rubble. Botan, Keiko, and Yukina are horrified by what they had seen. Yusuke pushes a piece of rubble off of him and gets up. )

Yusuke: Hey, is everyone alright?!

 

(Koenma and Kuwabara are sprawled across some of the rubble.)

Koenma: That idiot almost killed me.  I should have him arrested.

Kuwabara: You guys hear singing? 

 

(Kuwabara looks up and sees Hiei standing on the railing above. Other then this the remaining members of the Urameshi team are unharmed.)

Yusuke: Where's Kurama?!

 

(Koto gets up from where she took cover behind her broadcasting booth.

 

Koto: Now that's devastation! A significant portion of the ring has been completely wiped out.  There are corpses everywhere, and Kurama's nowhere to be seen!!

(Karasu laughs triumphantly as the smoke clears, but his laughter is cut short as a pile of rubble nearby suddenly starts moving. Some of the broken slabs of stadium fall away revealing Kurama who is once again in his human form.)

Koto: Oh wow!  That Kurama’s like a nasty virus!  You just can't get rid of him! However, it does look like this last explosion has taken its toll, because now he's back in his original human form!

 

(Yusuke and Kuwabara are distraught that their friend is in his weaker form so soon.)

 

Yusuke: Ah, crap!  The potion wore off.  Now he's really gonna have to wing it!

Kuwabara: I don't get it!  He said that stuff's supposed to last fifteen minutes!  That's it, the next time I see Suzuka, I'm moppin' up the floor with his face.

(Kurama had experienced some serious damage do to the last explosion, because he’s has some problem getting back on his feet.  He also clutches his left shoulder as it surges in pain for a moment.  He too is confused as to why he reverted back to his human form so soon.)

Kurama: (mentally) I don't understand, I was sure that the potion lasted longer.  For some reason its effects are weakening every time I use it!

 

(Karasu swaggers towards Kurama.)

Karasu:  Forgive me for disturbing your train of thought, but, shouldn't you take this time to pray?  After all, you are about to meet your creator. (Laughs) You can ask him why he flawed with you. (Continues laughing)

 

*Commercial Bumper*

(Kurama reaches into his hair and pulls out a rose. He holds it out and tries to convert it into his trademark weapon. However all that happens is that the rose petals burst into red smoke. Kurama gasps in horror at this.)

Karasu: You're too weak Kurama.  You can't even control the most basic of your attacks.  Make this easier on both of us and give in.  I promise it won't hurt too much.

(Yusuke cries out his friends name in worry.)

Yusuke: KURAMA!!

Koto: Wow fight fans, the suspense is in the air here at the Dark Tournament, because everybody knows that one more solid attack by Karasu means curtains for you-know-who!

Karasu: If you think about it, death really isn't so frightening.  Who knows, you might actually enjoy it.

(Kurama however ignores Yusuke. Tossing away the rose stem he’s holding he jumps back into the ring engaging Karasu in hand to hand combat, even though situation seemed futile. Kurama attempts to round house Karasu but Karasu evades by leaping into the air.  Kurama tries to make a swipe at Karasu but only succeeds in slicing some strands of Karasu’s long hair. Koto gets excited by the way the fights going.)

Koto: Aw man!  Kurama's launching a full blown assault on Karasu, but so far it's completely useless!  Blondie's  dodging each punch.  I can't take it anymore, I need some blood!!!

Hiei: He has a plan.  It's obvious in the way that he moves.

Karasu: I think you've finally lost your mind.  If you come any closer, you are a dead man.

 

(To make true with his threat Karasu’s hand glows knowing well that Kurama can’t see it in his current form. Kurama however chooses to risk it.)

Kurama: I will not be afraid of something that I cannot see!

 

(Karasu releases the blast, but Kurama successfully jumps over it and hits Karasu that in a way that’s similar to Genkai’s spirit wave. Karasu skids back several feet but isn’t impressed.)

Karasu: You're just full of surprises, but I thought you'd be more original.  (He digs into the bruise like wound on his chest and pulls out the seed of the Death Plant that Kurama had managed to inject with his last strike.  Blood drips out of the small hole in his flesh.) You really thought this would work?  It's called tact, Kurama, you should really consider using some.

Kuwabara: (Growls) That stupid jerk is really starting to tick me off!

Yusuke: He knows what Kurama's gonna to do before he does it!

Koenma: Guys, I don't think he's going to make it.

Karasu: (chuckles) I must congratulate you though.  You've injured me more than once and that is practically unheard of.

(Karasu flick the seed into the air and blows it up. Kurama steps back, suddenly a steel traps bursts out of the ring floor and latchs onto his leg.  Kurama yells in surprise as an ignited bomb slithers out hole the trap made in the ring floor. The bomb laughs as it speaks.)

Bomb: Time to say bombs away!!

Karasu: That's what I call, my mad bomb.

(Kurama watches the bomb in terror, knowing what was going to happen.)

Bomb: Out of luck, now your...

(The Mad Bomb explodes. Kurama cries out in pain as blood flies from his badly wounded leg.)

Yusuke: NO KURAMA!

 

(Kurama crashes to the ring floor. He lays there for a short moment, before he painfully struggles to get up.  Karasu laughs at this as Kurama manages to slowly and painfully climb to his feet. Yusuke rushes forward and warns Kurama of the danger he’s in. )

Yusuke: Don't move another inch Kurama! You're surrounded by bombs!

(Kurama hears him and stops.  All around him are green orbs.)

Karasu: Didn't you say you chose not to be afraid of what you could not see?  Well here's a better look.  (Karasu slowly stalks toward Kurama like a predator on its chosen prey.) You know that this entire battle has been an exercise in futility. You're weak, you're tired, you're powerless, you're pathetic. Yet it seems you have a masochistic streak that wants indulging.  So, here goes.

(Karasu commands the bombs to slam into Kurama’s body. Kurama screams in agony with each bomb that hits. When the assault seems to finally stop, Kurama falls to his knees dazed by pain. His wounds heavily bleeding.  Kayko is fed up with seeing this whole torturefest. The rest of the girls watch helplessly at what’s going on down in the ring.) 

Keiko: I can't watch him suffer like this!

Shizuru:  Karasu is such a bastard.  He's clearly playing with him now.  I wish he would just get this over with.

Botan: I don't ever want to hear you talk like that again.  Kurama will beat him!  Kurama can't die, he just can't!  I've lost one person I love to Toguro's team, I won't lose another!

Sakyo: Is he done yet?

Toguro: Probably not, he deeply enjoys the suffering of others.

(Sakyo eagerly lights a cigarette in anticipation of the finish.)

Sakyo: Well, I suppose the two of us have more in common than I thought.

(Kurama's hand twitches slightly in pain. Some of his wounds are so bad that you can see the tendons and muscles through the blood. Kurama manages to come back to himself enough to glare hatefully at Karasu.)

Karasu: (Chuckles) Your red hair is perfect for that fiery spirit that I admire.  You know that’s why I've decided to leave your beautiful face unharmed.  I may not be able to keep you, but I'll always have the memory of your face to give comfort.

%