01x14 - Battlelines

[bunniefuu]

♪ In this world, we're all alone. ♪
♪ You know I love my island home. ♪
♪ We'll make this right, ♪
♪ Find our way through this mystery. ♪
♪ I just wanna be swimming in the sea. ♪
♪ Now it's just you and me forever, ever, ever. ♪
♪ I just wanna be with you, feeling free. ♪
♪ It's my destiny forever, ever, ever. ♪
♪ Together ♪
♪ Forever. ♪
♪ Together ♪
♪ Lyin' in the sun. ♪
♪ Together ♪
♪ Forever. ♪
♪ Together. ♪
♪ Just be you and me. ♪
♪ I just wanna be. ♪

Can't you guys just make up?

I'm fine.

No problem here.

What's done is done.

Can't we just forget about it?

I've already forgotten about it.

Me too.

Just because Zac trusted us to get him through the full moon and you betrayed him.

It was for the good of the Pod to stop him getting the trident.

Great! Now he'll never trust us again.

I didn't know that was how it was gonna turn out.

Fine. You two stay here blaming each other.

I've got better things to do, like getting Aquata and the Pod back.

I'm gonna try and find a way to deal with Zac.

Zac. A minute, please.

Is there a problem, principal Santos?

You tell me. I'm preparing end-of-semester reports and I'm struggling to explain how much your grades have suffered of late.

When something like this happens to a student as good as you, questions get asked.

I've just had stuff to deal with. Private stuff.

Even if it's not appropriate for the school to know the details, I'm sure your parents will insist on a basic explanation.

You need to find a way to improve your grades and manage whatever it is that's going on in your personal life or these questions will keep getting asked. Do you see what I'm saying?

Uh, yeah. Yeah, I do.

Good.

We should use our powers to deal with Zac.

How far along are you in your training?

We haven't done any since we got kicked out of the Pod.

Mm-hm. Which is the one and only perk of being stuck on land no lessons.

Yeah, it's not a great idea to rely on your powers when you're out of practice and your schooling's incomplete.

It would be if you taught us.

I suppose there's nothing you can do about the trident until next full moon.

Maybe you should use the time wisely, master some new powers.

Mermaid school? Uh-uh.

Over my dead scaly body.

I'm up for it.

Well, of course you are, Lyla, because when I say dolphin, you say shark.

It's got nothing to do with you.

Don't flatter yourself.

I wanna be ready for my moon ring when I return to the Pod.

Sorry, Nixie. Looks like you're outvoted.

Ok, well, give me three good reasons why I should agree.

Your Pod.

Aquata.

Zac.

Us.

That was four.

So, I was thinking we could catch up tomorrow afternoon, watch a movie at my place.

I don't know, Zac.

You can pick the movie.

Whatever you want.

Even if it's a chick flick, I won't complain.

Really?

Yeah, really.

I mean, I know you wouldn't do that to me, so you'll pick something with fast cars and big explosions.

Ah, fat chance.

So you'll come?

Ok.

Uh, I've gotta go to work.

Isn't this nice? The two of you back together just like the good old days, not a mermaid in sight to screw it up.

Yep. All good. Apart from my lousy grades.

Is that what Santos wanted with you today?

You must have copped an earful.

That's the weird thing. I didn't.

I couldn't quite understand what she was on about, but it was like she was warning me I was getting a bad report and I'd better have a good reason.

You don't think it's cos the mermaids told her about you?

Why would they?

I don't know. But there's no way that she's their auntie.

Maybe they lied to her too.

Maybe they didn't have to.

Maybe she's one too!

For centuries mermaids have been able to escape detection by sailors.

You can make yourselves invisible, but that's only temporary, so what's another way to stop them seeing you?

Uh, we drown them.

Controlling the weather is a vital survival tool for mermaids.

If you can create a storm, you can get yourselves out of all sorts of trouble. So...

Picture it in your mind, starting with the clouds.

Then will it to happen.

From there you build it.

Rain...

Thunder... lightning.

That's awesome!

Wow! A cloud in a bottle.

How will that be of any help to us?

You'd be surprised.

You all have plenty of power and potential that's plain to see.

You just need to learn how to focus it.

Let me try.

Put your hand... feel the power.

Rita, I thought we could do some more training before you left.

Uh, sorry. I've got a meeting with Zac and his parents before school starts.

Anything we should know about?

Just that his grades are slipping.

I don't think picking on him is a good idea right now.

It is my job to do something about it.

I did warn him to think of an explanation for his parents.

We'll do some training later, ok?

Thank you so much for coming in today, dr and mrs blakely.

You too, Zac.

To be honest, we're really surprised we're having this conversation.

Zac has always had excellent grades.

That's right.

But when academic performance falls below expectations, I'm obliged to intercede.

We understand that.

But it it's just not like him to not do it. It makes no sense.

Well, hopefully we can clear all that up this morning.

Would you like some tea?

Yes. Uh, black with one for both of us, thanks.

Thanks, Anna.

I'm sure Zac has a simple explanation, and, um that there's really nothing to worry about.

U-um, I'm fine.

Just leave it. Thank you.

If you were Zac and you found out that your principal's nieces were mermaids, wouldn't you wonder about the principal?

Don't you think Zac's found out that Rita's a mermaid?

I can't concentrate if you're gonna prattle on.

What do we do about it if he has?

Rita's kept her secret for years. She can handle Zac.

You're right. Of course she can.

So it can happen that good students' grades fall.

We just need to get him back on track.

Zac, I'm sure you've been wondering why all this happened, and no doubt by now you've got a helpful explanation for us.

Well, I asked him what the problem was and he said there wasn't one.

I see.

Well, distractions can happen.

There's relationships, um, sport, friends.

Ms Santos?

Mm-hm?

Can I say something?

Uh... yes. Go ahead.

Sometimes misunderstandings happen, right?

I mean, it's possible that your interpretation of my results is wrong.

Uh... no, I don't think so.

You're either getting the results or you're not, Zac.

Oh, I don't know, dad. There are a lot of students at this school.

Maybe my results got confused with somebody else's.

That can happen, can't it, ms Santos?

Maybe there was a computer glitch.

Um...

It's possible.

Then we can look into that?

We can find out where the mistakes might have been made and see that my marks haven't dropped at all?

Yes, I-I guess it could have been an administrative error.

Thank you. Then I guess we're done here.

That's really all it was? A mistake?

Ms Santos said so, didn't she?

I'd better get back to class.

Our principal is a mermaid? For real?

For real.

Zac. Don't you mess with me.

Are you absolutely sure about this?

I don't know why I didn't pick it before.

Why else would the mermaids stay with her?

She's been covering for them all this time, and that's why because she is one too.

This is brilliant.

She's totally under our thumb.

I know.

Goodbye, homework.

Goodbye, assignments.

Goodbye ever worrying about school again ever.

Why does it always do that?

Excuse me.

Nixie. You're doing it.

You're actually doing it.

This is so cool.

Rita. Aren't you supposed to be at school?

He knows. Zac knows.

What? No.

How?

He figured it out? I don't know.

Of course he did.

I said he would, didn't I?

Oh, I was just doing my job I'm the principal. Now I won't ever I have to leave. I don't have a choice. My cover's blown.

I shouldn't even be here.

It's not safe.

Rita, you can't leave. We need you.

He'll expose me. I have to pack up, leave this house and get away from the coast.

There must be something we can do.

It's too late.

I'm sorry. I just...

There's a lot to get done.

There's nothing we can do.

We just have to accept what's happened and move on.

This is all our fault.

We have to do something.

You heard what she said.

It's too late.

So that's it? We don't even try?

I was trying to tell you stop it, both of you!

We can't let Rita run away like this.

She took us in and helped us, so now we have to help her.

So let's go and find Zac and sort this out.

I've got nothing to say to any of you.

If you expose Rita, it could just as easily come back on you.

Is that a risk you're prepared to take?

Maybe it is; Maybe it isn't.

Why are you doing this?

Is this your idea of revenge?

Look... I know you think we betrayed you, but you're wrong.

The evidence says otherwise.

Firstly, you hid the fact that you're mermaids from me.

That counts as betrayal in my book.

And secondly, you tried to take the trident.

Zac, I know this is hard for you to understand, but the trident is dangerous.

It could have k*lled you.

Then why did you try to take it for yourselves?

We were trying to protect you.

Sorry, Lyla.

I don't believe you.

I wouldn't lie.

Again, the evidence says otherwise.

You know what, Lyla?

I think we're wasting our time.

He's going to hold this over Rita and make her life miserable.

It's not fair. She's done everything to help us.

You know what?

If she can't live a normal life, maybe he shouldn't either.

Yeah.

Yeah. Bring it on.

How are you going?

Oh, I've got heaps of homework.

But don't worry I'll get it done.

I know. Obviously ms Santos made a mistake this morning.

It's just not like you not to do your best.

The kettle's just boiled.

Like a cuppa to go with this?

Thanks, mum.

Here you go, Zac.

Zac? What are you doing?

Um, there was a wasp on it.

A wasp?

Yeah, there must be a nest nearby.

I don't want you getting stung. Get inside.

Oh, I can do it. Um, I don't want you getting stung.

Whatever you think you're doing, it's not going to work.

Get the message?

Message?

Oh. Evie.

I thought you were mum.

Are we still on for a movie?

Yeah, of course we are.

Let's go. Come in.

Ok.

What are you doing?

We're watching a movie I'm making it dark.

What's that?

Wind. It's... it's wind.

But it's not windy.

Oh, it must have suddenly come up.

Do you think Sirena's doing ok in there?

She can't be doing any worse than we did.

What's going on?

Um, must have overbalanced.

Don't worry about it.

What is with you today?

Nothing. I'll just put this outside.

Are you nuts?

You could have exposed me.

That can't have felt good.

You nearly exposed Rita.

Yeah. You were ok with that.

Just cut it out. Now.

He is so panicking. It's working.

It's because of Evie. It's not about making trouble for him. It's...

It's about being exposed to her.

Well, don't think we can do that.

I know. But he needs to think we will.

Can we start the movie now?

Sure. Sure.

Zac. What are you doing?

Setting the light right. Here. Sit.

Something weird is going on.

Probably the wiring. Let's get out of here and go to your place.

Ok. Good idea.

Quick. Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Ok, Nixie. Time to ramp this up even more. You're on.

Are you sure?

Yeah. You're the only one that can do this.

All right.

Stop it, Zac. What's the hurry?

It's, um... it's...

It's... it's gonna rain.

You go home. I'll catch up.

Are you ready to talk?

Got the message?

You leave Rita alone and we'll leave you alone. Agreed?

Agreed.

Oh, great. Pleasure doing business with you.

Ahh!

Ooh. Sorry. Didn't see your tail there.

So I just wanted to say I'm sorry.

And you're right my grades have slipped, and it's my own fault.

And I can fix it.

I'm very pleased to hear that, Zac.

It was all a misunderstanding on my part. A very big misunderstanding.

Well, that happens. I'm sure you won't have any problems picking your grades up.

You're very clever.

Maybe a little too clever at times.

Yes, ms Santos.

So we're good.

Yeah. We're good.

Anyone for tea?

No!

You have juicy info on our principal which mean a perfect homework-free world and you threw that all away?

Sorry, Cam. Things have changed.

Back to working for our grades.

Yeah, you can, but I know her secret too.

I'm not throwing away this kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Think of the bigger picture.

Let the let the mermaids have their little victory.

I just need to bide my time till the next full moon.

Then I'm going back to Mako, and I'm gonna get the trident.

That's all that matters.

Fine.

But I'm copying your maths answers.

Surprise!

It's a not-going-away present.

Now your secret's safe and you can stay.

You've gone to so much trouble.

Well, you're worth it.

We notice that land people like to show off their relatives, so this is so everybody else thinks we are your nieces.

Well, we are, sort of.

Thank you.

But you've already given me something.

We did? What?

The chance to still be a teacher.

I don't know what I would have done if I'd left. It's all I know.

I can't think of anything more satisfying or rewarding.

So first thing tomorrow morning mermaid school.

I expect you all to be there.

Especially you, Nixie, my top student.

I heard you created a perfect storm.

That earns you a high distinction.

Well, I guess I can come to one more class.

Come on.