03x11 - You Can't Run from Who You Are

[bunniefuu]

_- (PROJECTOR WHIRRING, BEEPING)

MAN: Test -E commencing.

_ On my mark.

Three, two, one.

That's impossible.

Test -E is a total failure.

The object remains sealed.

Commencing Test -A.

Using highly corrosive acid.

We will find a way to open it.

Relax.

Just let the inspiration flow out of you.

Did it work?

I mean, I don't want to speak for the rest of the group, but I feel the exact same.

- So...

- for , then.

_- HOPE: Good thing it's a big board.

What's next?

Perhaps muses cannot choose whom they inspire.

Or I am terrible at being one.

Either way, we should stop.

This is not working.

When we find a way to activate your powers...

- If.

- When.

You will inspire us to have something that we've never had in our fight against Malivore.

An advantage.

That's the spirit.

Now what's next?

Uh...

Mind meld.

KALEB: Wow.

Let me guess who came up with that thunderbolt.

As the only person who's actually been inspired by Cleo, quit trying to force it.

Just be natural.

Ain't nothing natural about that.

It worked.

I know how we defeat Malivore.

We summon a time travel monster to send us back in time and stop him from being born.

(SCOFFS)

Where is Lizzie with the zinger when you need her?

She had a far greater duty this morning.

And I quote, she had "a fashion emergency."

Yeah, that's been going on since the day we met, so...

You know what?

I think Jed's right.

- Yeah?

- Not about the time travel.

Maybe we're going about this all wrong.

Instead of you trying to inspire us, maybe you just need to focus on what inspires you, like, uh, a song or a work of art.

Or a special someone.

HOPE: Great.

If Kaleb's game is the answer to our problems, then we're doomed.

(CHUCKLES)

Whoa.

Something just happened.

Anyone have any brilliant ideas?

- Yeah.

- Not you, Jed.

- Take that as a yes, Hope.

- More like a maybe.

I just need to do some research before I share with the group.

But I can assure you, it's completely safe and I won't even have to leave school.

Sweet.

I love research.

At least I potentially inspired one person.

Oh, make that two.

I believe our monster problem's connected to the artifact, which we know was in Triad's possession.

So maybe there's a clue in their records, if they still exist, which would be at their old headquarters.

Naturally.

It's all so clear now.

Thank you, Cleo.

Do not thank me until you find what you seek.

I would like to accompany you.

And I'd like to accompany you.

You.

Um, because...

my-my skill set might come in handy if the mission goes sideways.

The more the merrier.

Let's go.

(MUTTERING)

LANDON: You mind sharing your actual plan with me?

The prison world is bound to The Necromancer.

So what if we take a page out of Kai Parker's playbook?

Uh, that dude had a lot of plays.

Could you be a little more specific?

Well, if we sever The Necromancer's ties to it, the prison world will collapse.

And destroys everything inside of it, including Malivore.

Got to admit, it's pretty brilliant.

Thank you.

Can't take all the credit.

Now all we need to do is find our necrotic friend and make him an offer.

His blood and the duplicate ascendant we need for the severing spell.

And in exchange, I will free him from the prison world.

I take it back.

That's a terrible idea.

Don't worry, I'm gonna screw him over.

I just need to figure out how.

I thought you told Dr. Saltzman this was gonna be risk-free.

It is.

Hence the chalk.

Astral projection.

The Necromancer can see different planes of existence, so he should be able to see but not touch, maim, or k*ll you.

Like I said, safe.

In that case, I'm coming with you.

Sorry.

Not enough chalk.

You just said it's safe.

Besides, look at my résumé.

I'm the only one here who's b*at The Necromancer in negotiation.

Remember what the banshee said.

Yeah.

But we said screw fate, remember?

This is our chance to actually do it.

I, for one, can't think of anything more romantic than strolling hand in hand through a postapocalyptic hellscape.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Maybe this wasn't the best plan.

Superheroes are supposed to save people, not kidnap them.

I should probably get Dr. Saltzman down here.

Though he'll ask why we're keeping Finch out here in the barn of the family you're staying with.

Wait, you haven't told him yet?

Well, I was worried if I told him I didn't compel your memories away, our days of superhero team-up would be over.

Okay, look, I need you.

Just put on your secret identity, all right?

Go to school and act normal while I deal with this.

The Blur and E-man got to take a day off.

Fine.

I will sign off on laying low, but not the superhero names.

What?

Um, um, E...

- money?

- Hmm.

E-commerce?

Right?

I'll think of some better ones in geometry class.

Invisique saeclum.

(GASPS)

Lizzie.

How...

How long have you...

Long enough to know that you've been playing dress-up with a muggle.

Hello?

I see it's business as usual around here.

(SLOW FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(GRUNTS)

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, it's me.

Jo, Jo, look.

It's me.

Wade.

- (SIGHS)

- Where is everyone?

And what are you doing?

Why are you dressed for battle?

Well, Dr. S gave us a three-day weekend.

But I stayed behind to defend the school in case the big M sends another monster.

What are you doing here?

I thought you were Eat, Pray, Loving with the townies now.

I was just looking for Lizzie.

Things aren't exactly panning out at my new school, and I kind of need some advice.

Well, she left.

I don't know where she went, but being the defender of the school takes many forms.

I'm a great listener and my WIS score is .

Why do you have this?

And can I borrow it?

Knock yourself out.

I was just using it as a stand-in for my wizard's focus crystal.

Hey, you don't LARP, do you?

I do not, but thank you.

I think that this is exactly what I need.

MG: Just give me a chance to explain.

I didn't want to lie to your dad, but the only other choice was wiping Ethan's mind.

Okay, you can stop.

I'm not here to bust up your bromance.

The truth is, I need your help.

Turns out Josie has a serious crush on this she-wolf.

You should probably just be happy for her.

That would be premature.

Because Finch has obviously already activated her curse.

So she's k*lled someone.

Maybe it was an accident?

- Or maybe...

- FINCH: I didn't k*ll anyone.

And I chain myself up every full moon so I don't.

You must have.

It's half the requirement to become a werewolf.

The other half is genetic, so, like, being able to do this...

which means that your parents or grandparents were wolves, too.

I always thought I was the only one.

I mean, how do you even know that?

And how did you make yourself invisible last night?

(SIGHS)

Post tenebras spero lucem.

I'm a witch.

But I like to think of myself as Josie's sister, first and foremost.

At least I know where Jo's damage comes from now.

Okay, my sister has terrible taste in women as it is.

But there's no way that I'm letting her near a cold-blooded k*ller.

MG: Whoa.

Easy, Lizzie.

We don't know that yet.

I didn't k*ll anyone.

Well, I'm gonna need you to prove it.

HOPE: We both want the same thing.

If you help us, we will not only grant your freedom, but you will also get the satisfaction of knowing that you were directly responsible for Malivore's destruction.

(AS THE NECROMANCER): How generous of you, Tribrid.

But why should I believe that you, my second most detestable enemy, would keep your end of the bargain?

HOPE: Because seeing is believing.

If you sever your ties, then the world will become unstable.

Holes will start to open up.

Doors... all you have to do is walk through one.

You can be in control of your own fate.

- Think he'll go for it, Landon?

- I am not Landon.

I am the dictator of departed souls.

- (LAUGHS)

- The monarch of the macabre.

The almighty...

Knock it off.

(LAUGHS)

LANDON: I mean, he's pretty unpredictable.

You and Malivore are literally the only two things he's afraid of.

So if he's been on the run from the mud man, you have even more leverage.

That's a ringing endorsement.

Come on, what's the worst that could happen?

I mean, if he says no, we just give him the finger and head back to our world.

He can have this one if he wants it.

So, you know, just project confidence.

Head up, shoulders back.

He won't stand a chance.

(SIGHS)

(BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY)

LANDON: There goes our leverage.

Looks like The Necromancer already found a way out.

I don't think he made it.

You sure this is him?

I'd know that terrible fashion sense anywhere.

Wow.

Something actually k*lled The Necromancer.

Guess this mission's kind of a bust.

Remember the last time he d*ed in this prison world?

He's banished to this world, so all we have to do is wait, and eventually he'll resurrect.

Hopefully in one piece.

I don't really feel like playing Mr. Potato Head with his dismembered body.

Looks like our little mini-date isn't over yet.

What do you think got him?

Malivore?

(CREATURE HISSING)

(SCREECHES)

Or that.

(WHISPERS): Probably that.

(SIGHS)

Okay.

I'm picturing who I want to talk to.

(EXHALES)

I swear, if Wade broke this thing...

It works just fine.

I am stronger than you can ever be.

I will always find a way back.

Miss me?

Huh.

Looks like someone had a "going out of supernatural business" sale.

CLEO: I think I gave you an unhelpful idea.

Perhaps I can inspire a better one on the way home?

Yeah, she's right.

Maybe we should head back.

Maybe grab something to eat on the way?

ALARIC: No, you did great, Cleo.

This control panel, it isn't just for lights.

It also has listed two fire suppression systems.

One for in here...

one for somewhere... else.

I do not see a door.

Uh-uh.

I'm not fighting a mummy again.

If this place was ransacked, why would they leave this behind?

KALEB: Ah, maybe it can't be moved.

(CLICKING)

(CREAKING)

Okay.

I see the door now.

Great.

We can find out what Triad paid for paperclips in .

This is Triad's documentation on all their supernatural objects.

If they know anything about the history of the artifact, it'd be in here.

FINCH: So, you want to dig around in my brain?

MG: Not exactly.

Vampires have this ability.

It's called a "head dive." We can be present inside of your memories as events unfold, like invisible witnesses.

If you're okay with that.

LIZZIE: Or we could just do it anyway.

Unless you want me to tell you-know-who about your superhero extracurriculars.

You and Josie are twins, right?

How'd you figure that out?

Because you're the evil one.

Do it.

If this is what it takes to prove I didn't k*ll anyone...

I'm in.

JOSIE: How is this possible?

I destroyed you with an a*.

Silly girl.

All this time I've been hiding inside you, waiting for the perfect time to escape.

(LAUGHS)

You are so gullible.

No, I'm really just your subconscious projection of me.

Well, it's fair that we have trust issues.

So why don't you just drop that tacky paperweight and see for yourself?

See?

I'm practically harmless.

This thing must be malfunctioning.

I didn't want to talk to you.

And yet...

(GASPS)

...here I am.

Deep down, you must want to hear what I have to say.

I mean, I do know all of your weaknesses.

And I know exactly what's wrong with you.

But if you really don't want to talk to me, that should be pretty simple to prove.

Just drop the prism.

Hmm.

That's what I thought.

Let's chat.

MG: Think back to the day you first turned into a werewolf.

We'll start there.

A hospital?

That's weird.

Think like a k*ller, okay?

This is the perfect, target-rich environment for the weak and enfeebled.

Not to mention unattended children who could be the first victim of...

NURSE: Finch?

Finch Tarrayo?

That's me.

I thought you took us back to the first day she turned.

I did.

Just my imagination, or is this thing staring right at us?

That's impossible.

Nothing can see us or hear us or touch us, so...

Okay, then why can I feel its breath?

- (SCREECHES)

- (SHOUTS)

No!

Oh, God, please!

That was close.

Hope?

That doesn't look good.

It'll be fine.

Anything that happens to my astral form can't carry over to my physical body.

Yeah, just like how a monster isn't supposed to be able to att*ck us here?

This mission doesn't seem so safe anymore.

We should go home.

The Necromancer will probably revive soon.

Yeah, but that wound is getting worse by the second.

Plus, we don't know how many more of those astral-plane-attacking monsters are around.

You're right, it's not safe.

You should go.

You mean we should go.

- Sorry, there's no time.

- Hope, don't you dare.

I love you.

Remeo.

(GROWLS)

(GRUNTS)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

Damn it, Hope.

DARK JOSIE: You are not gonna like this, but you are never gonna have that happy human life that you want.

Gee, thanks.

But I didn't ask your opinion on my future.

I asked why all of my romantic relationships are such disasters.

And I answered that.

The problem is not the relationships.

The fault, my dear Josette, lies in you.

Why do I even bother?

I knew you weren't the one to talk to.

Aren't you gonna ask me why?

I'm sure that it's gonna be some put-down about how I'm too weak to have a relationship.

Or I'm just not good enough to have a happy life.

Ooh, you just dropped a key word there.

I never said you couldn't have "a happy life."

- I said...

- A happy human life.

Ding, ding, ding.

We both know that you can't have a real relationship if you're repressing an essential part of yourself.

- What, you?

- I wish.

It's more basic than that.

You want to know what's really wrong with you?

You're a witch who's pretending that you're not.

You're trying to trick me into taking my magic back.

Kiddo, I am you, like it or not.

I mean, you could have waited and asked any of your friends about this, but instead you asked a question to a crystal that lets you talk to yourself.

Why?

Because you already knew the answer.

(DOOR OPENS)

Josie.

I need your help.

♪ ♪ (RADIO CRACKLES)

DISPATCHER: We've got a

- in progress at Lou's Bar.

Reports of a brawl.

OFFICER: responding, but we are a good minutes out.

♪ Oh, I think there's something wrong with me ♪

(ENGINE STARTS)

♪ The sun goes down... ♪

(TIRES SCREECHING)

♪ I guess I'm just another three-leaf clover. ♪

(WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER P.A.)

Maybe Finch is a natural-born k*ller that preys on elderly patients.

I mean, this could be the start of her spree.

This patient's last name is Tarrayo, just like Finch.

(EXHALES)

I'm glad you're here, my little goldfinch.

I need you to know something about our family.

We have a secret.

Some call it a curse, but it can also be a blessing.

You can't trust anyone.

But before I go, I can help make you strong.

And then you'll always be able to protect yourself.

I, I don't understand.

Bring me my special candies from my coat.

Oh, no.

GRANDPA: Tonight...

when the full moon rises, head down into the basement.

And don't tell anybody where you are.

(SOBBING)

I'm so sorry.

You just made me remember that I k*lled the only person who ever cared about me.

What kind of monster are you?

JOSIE: She's burning up.

It's like some sort of magical infection.

Is there any way to, like, hit the eject button and pull her out?

Not without a witch, but hopefully Lizzie will be back soon.

Okay, but not soon enough.

We can't wait.

Look, I-I'm more than happy to cheer my Tribrid girlfriend on from the bleachers while she dunks on monsters, but-but sending me back was the magical equivalent of "hold my purse."

She was trying to protect you.

Except this time, she's the one who's actually in trouble.

JOSIE: You want to help?

We need to find out what bit her.

Except all of our monster experts are MIA at the moment.

All except one.

WADE: It's a Berbalang.

Red necrotic eyes?

Insatiable appetite for dead flesh?

Able to interact with the astral plane?

Classic Berbalang.

What, you've actually heard of this thing?

(SCOFFS)

Heard of it?

Yeah, I've crossed swords with it and lived to tell the tale twice.

I've been gone a long time.

Medium aberration, neutral evil, plus five modifier...

Wait, is this a D&D thing?

Yeah, told you... expert.

If... and that's a big one...

D&D has its facts right, how does one go about curing a Berbalang bite?

Wait.

It bit Hope?

Okay, forget D&D.

According to Filipino legend, Berbalangs are like living viruses.

They replicate themselves through physical contact.

If you get bit by one, it's only a matter of time before you turn into one.

(HOPE GROWLING)

Hope?

Are you okay?

(SNARLS)

- (GROWLS)

- (OTHERS SHOUT)

How could you two be hungry at a time like this?

Uh, guys, Hope-alang is no-doubt coming for us and you're busy hoarding my nugs?

It's bait!

Berbalangs eat dead flesh.

We can use this to get her into the bunker.

And trap her in there until we can figure out a way to turn her back.

Good idea... does this remind you of anything?

What could this possibly remind me of?

Rulien's Keep.

This is exactly how our guild trapped that owlbear, remember?

Our first -hour marathon session?

We got kidney stones because we drank so many energy drinks, but you wouldn't stop until the lich's phylactery was destroyed.

Right, right.

How could I forget?

Sorry to interrupt your w*r stories, but we need to pick up the pace before Hope gets here.

You don't know the half of it.

According to the lore, we only have one hour before Hope's transformation is permanent.

Then what if this doesn't work?

Or what if it works too well?

Is it weird that I still find her attractive?

(GROWLS)

Oh, hey, let me, um...

I'm gonna check that for you, okay?

Uh...

No mention of any artifacts or anything, but I hope I saved you a little bit of time.

(CHUCKLES)

Um, so...

check this, tonight, I was thinking, you know, you, me, drinks at the Tap, barbecue from The Pit Stop, and then moonlit dancing on the roof of the old clocktower?

That sounds fun, but I will have to pass for now.

Okay.

Okay, message received.

Got to up my game.

That is not what I was saying.

Well, then you're gonna have to send some clearer signals, 'cause you clearly dig me.

So what-what's up?

What I got to do to get a date?

Not this.

I do not like it when you try to impress me or be cool.

I want you to drop the act.

And be honest.

Is that something you are capable of?

You'll never believe what I found.

LANDON: Hope? Are you in there?

(GRUNTING)

She's trying to talk, I think.

Hope!

This isn't you.

Fight it!

Also, faerie folk cause indigestion.

(SNIFFS)

Landon... she wants you! Run!

LIZZIE: Everything's gonna be okay.

I know that must have been painful.

Probably why you blocked the memory, but at least now we know that you didn't hurt anyone on purpose.

Yeah, congratulations.

You proved I'm a k*ller.

Something I have to live with for the rest of my life.

There might be a way to fix it.

You have a time travel spell?

Not quite.

But I know one that can put memory blocks in place.

It can make you forget what happened with your grandpa and even all of today if you want.

I have to remember what my grandpa said.

And I can't trust anyone.

I have to look out for myself.

It's too bad.

I really liked Josie.

(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

Thought you didn't want to talk to me.

I don't.

But this is Sanskrit.

I took one class on it last year, but I've forgotten everything.

Sorry, um, why should I care?

Because I said I've forgotten.

I'm sure my subconscious hasn't.

Again, why should I care?

Because I do.

Now you're starting to get it.

It says...

"to stop a person from becoming a Berbalang, you need a pearl-bladed w*apon."

Perfect.

Dad has a dagger like that in his study.

He uses it to open bottles.

Ah-ah-ah.

Not so fast.

The w*apon needs to be imbued with an enchantment.

And there's no witch here to cast a spell, and Lizzie's not back yet and Fae magic just won't cut it.

I know what you're trying to do.

I'm not gonna take back my magic just so you take me over.

For the last time, I don't need to take over because I already live in here.

- Well, you're about to get evicted.

- (GASPS)

There's the girl I know.

The tough bitch that buried the hatchet in me.

The one that said that she was both strong and good.

But if you're so strong...

why are you afraid of your own power?

And if you're so good, how can you let your friend turn into a monster?

(GASPS)

Ticktock, Jo.

(HOPE SNARLING)

Okay, if you're gonna eat me, can I at least talk to my girlfriend first?

WADE: Stand down!

Stay your hand, ghoul.

Or face the wrath of Fangsbane.

Maybe not so much wrath, more like a stern lecture.

(GRUNTS)

I failed my saving throw.

Okay, Hope?

It's me.

(HOPE GASPING)

I know that you can hear me.

That you're trying to talk to me.

Liar!

JOSIE: I didn't know Berbalangs were so judgy.

You want something to eat?

Eat this.

Ventus. Now that's what I call a glow-up!

You took your magic back.

I had to, to enchant this.

A plus two dagger.

That should stop the process.

If you s*ab her in the heart.

ALARIC: This is what we were looking for.

These sketches of the artifact date back to the Renaissance.

You can tell all that just by looking at it?

Look at the signature.

Leonardo da Vinci.

He's the one who made it.

I th...

I think.

I don't know, my Italian's only good enough to order at a restaurant, but...

(CHUCKLES)

Good.

So, guess we can get out of here now?

Hey, man, I thought you were having fun.

Yeah, yeah, I was, um...

It's just...

Ah, yeah... girl problems.

The, uh, sound carries.

Look, you probably don't want advice from the old guy, but...

I'm thinking maybe you should tell her why you actually came on the trip.

'Cause I like being around her?

Are you sure that's the only reason?

Hold up, you smell that?

Like... like something's burning?

The parchment!

JOSIE: There is no coming back from this.

(HISSES)

If we're wrong, Hope dies.

Are we really willing to risk stabbing her in the heart based off of some board game?

Technically, it's a tabletop RPG.

- And technically, I'll shut up.

- If we don't, she'll turn into one of those things forever, and that's the real risk.

(SCREECHES, GROWLS)

As defender of the school, the lot falls to me.

But I'm only acting in that capacity because the real protector of the school is currently a monster.

- (GROWLS)

- I'm scared.

We all know how much Hope means to this place.

To all of us.

(HUFFS)

Landon.

Landon, wait!

(INHALES SOFTLY)

(EXHALES)

(DAGGER CLATTERS TO FLOOR)

Come on, Hope.

Come back to me.

(FAINT GROANING)

(MOANS SOFTLY)

Worst date ever.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, that was a fun car ride.

Um...

You two should get some rest.

KALEB: Um, I'm about to grab a bite.

Oh.

So you can talk.

From how quiet the car ride was, I thought you were incapable of speech.

- (EXHALES)

- (SCOFFS)

You're-you're right.

Okay?

It's not easy for me to be vulnerable.

Like admitting the real reason I went on the mission.

I wanted...

I wanted to have your back, in case Malivore sent another monster after you.

You are worried about me?

That is actually very sweet of you, Kaleb.

Thank you for being honest with me.

You're welcome.

I'm sorry it took so long.

Just, the last time I was vulnerable with someone...

I ended up dead.

Craving blood.

- Sporting a new grill.

- Mm-hmm.

You became a vampire.

Yeah, it's...

it's a long story.

I'm sure I'll tell you about it sometime.

I do have a free evening coming up.

You playing?

(LAUGHS): Not at all.

It is... a date.

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

I, uh...

Something.

Phlegm.

(CHUCKLES)

HOPE: You were great today.

So great that you kicked me out of the prison world the moment things got dangerous?

I want you to feel like you can count on me...

not just when it's safe, but when there's trouble.

I do.

Landon, I sent you away so that I could handle the mission, but I knew that you were able to figure out what the monster was.

Divide and conquer.

It's standard power-couple stuff.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

You could warn a guy next time.

This should make it up to you.

WADE: Ready to roll?

Tonight we're going to be exploring the Mines of Shadowspire.

Looking good, Jon Snow.

Let me get your character sheets.

Actually, I forgot to ask.

Did The Necromancer ever revive?

No.

I'm not sure what it means.

We're gonna have to have Cleo inspire a new plan.

But whatever it is, I want you by my side.

Thanks.

("HURRICANE" BY ANSON SEABRA PLAYING)

Um, I'll be right back.

Don't pull any cards without me.

(VOICE SQUEAKS): That's not how it works, but...

LIZZIE: Sure you don't want to hang around for a while?

We could eat rocky road and talk about how I ruined Finch's life, and ruined any sh*t that Josie had with her.

I'm not ready for that yet.

♪ The rain would pour... ♪

But about Ethan...

I won't rat you out.

You can continue the amazing adventures of Nerd Man and Geek Boy.

MG: What should I do?

I don't want to compel his memories away, but...

I don't like lying to your dad.

Don't get me wrong, playing superhero with a human is probably a terrible idea.

But... who am I to judge?

I was wrong about Finch.

And I was wrong to siphon you and take the ascendant.

So...

I'm probably not the right person to ask.

And...

I should also stop pretending like I know the answer all the time.

You'll make the right call.

You always do.

And in that spirit...

what would you do about Josie if you were me?

I'd try telling her the truth.

She can handle it.

She can make her own decisions about who she's dating.

♪ Even when ♪ Hey.

♪ The wind would roar ♪ ♪ You were such a... ♪

Finch was wrong about one thing.

You are not a monster.

Everything you did today was to protect someone you love.

♪ There is nothing... ♪ People should feel lucky if they get to be one of those people.

- ♪ Even when ♪

- (SIGHS SOFTLY)

♪ You left me broke ♪ ♪ And cold ♪ ♪ There is nothing ♪ ♪ I want more. ♪

ALARIC: I had the answers to the artifact in my hands, Dorian.

The fire suppression system literally turned them to dust.

Yeah, the electrical fire triggered it.

Yeah, well, I guess you had to be there, but we do have one clue to go on.

The Triad file with Da Vinci's blueprints in it had a name: Project Pandora.

Yes, as in the mythical box that contains all the world's ills.

Remember?

The one that Hope and I opened.

MG: Yo, E. We got to talk.

I was thinking about it, and we should tell Dr. Saltzman.

(CHUCKLES): I promise I will not let him take your memories away.

But it's always better to tell the truth before something goes really...

(GROANS, SHUDDERING)

...wrong.

Oh, crap.

Hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

HOPE: I'm really glad that you were here today. Not just because you prevented me from turning into a Babadook or whatever, but because I wanted to apologize.

Today was the second time that I've put you in a position to where you felt pressured to take your magic back.

It shouldn't have taken you turning into a monster for me to realize that it was time.

You were with me when I defeated my dark side.

And when it was over, I was so horrified by what I had done that I just really wanted to make sure that it never happened again.

But in a way, that was kind of like letting the dark part of me win.

It's a battle that's always going to be with me, and I don't want to run from that anymore.

This is who I am.

Does that mean you're gonna move back?

I'm not sure about that one yet.

(WADE CLEARS THROAT)

Hey, Hope, can I talk to you for a minute while Landon's getting his miniatures?

You're so lucky Lizzie didn't hear you say that.

(SIGHS): What's up?

Have you noticed anything strange about Landon since he got back?

He's actually been pretty perfect.

Well, not as a DM.

- Please don't make me ask.

- Dungeon Master.

Look, this is gonna sound weird, but earlier today he forgot about our D&D campaign to Rulien's Keep.

Which isn't a biggie, except that was his favorite module.

And then there's the Berbalang.

It only eats dead flesh, but it was hankering for Landon.

Could just be a residual phoenix...

Also not a balanced part of a Berbalang's breakfast...

they hate fire.

But the thing that really got me, Hope, was that he stabbed you in the heart after you called him a liar...

He didn't have a choice, okay?

I would have done the same thing.

Yeah, but Landon wouldn't.

He would never hurt you, Hope.

Ever.

There's something wrong with him.