04x05 - Tale of Two Sisters

[bunniefuu]

Big girls need a healthy
breakfast before kindergarten.

So here's everybody's favorite...

[chuckles] A Man-in-the-Moon-Cake!

Down, Brucely.

- [Brucely whines]
- Whoops.

- [Artemis] Who said it?
- [student ] Victor Hugo, Professor Crock!

- [student ] Oh, the bishop!
- [student ] Myriel said it to Jean Valjean!

[laughing]

- [grunts]
- [man] Ooh!

[gasps]

d*ck? Kaldur?

What is it?

Who?

It's Conner...

[theme music playing]

- [clinking]
- [Lian] Whoops.

[students murmuring]

[Tigress grunts]

[man groans]

[hammering]

[Will] There.

It's great.

Sorry. It is great.

But?

But I alternate between being numb

and barely managing to hold it together.

I miss Conner.

He was like a brother to me.

And M'gann...

[inhales]

I know exactly...

exactly what she's
going through. [sniffles]

And there are some things
you can just never prepare for

and some things you can never get over.

[breathes deeply]

I better leave before I start sobbing.

Hey. Nothing wrong with sobbing.

Yeah.

Ah, well, it upsets Brucely.

[snoring]

[groans]

[gasps]

[Lawrence] Now that's how
you do it, little girl.

Your opponent makes a mistake,
you take full advantage.

No mercy.

But you,

In the field, a mistake
like that'll get you k*lled.

Learn or die, baby girl.

[exhales] It's hard to see
out of this mask.

You need that mask, the way you fight.

It's too damn big for her, Crusher.

How's she supposed to succeed
wearing your hand-me-downs?

You wouldn't go out in gear
that didn't fit, so why force her to...

[groans]

Worry about your own ass, Jade.

[Artemis] I know the formula, Mom.

I know what works for me,

what helps me through the grief.

Hitting criminals over the head
with a bo staff?

[sighs] Helping other people.

That's how I survived losing Wally,

and-and that's how I will survive this.

Okay, whatever gets you out of bed.

But helping strangers

also gave me the excuse to take a pass

on helping the one person
I thought was beyond my help.

- Wally?
- No! Jade!

[sighs] Artemis.

Jade is beyond your help.

Beyond all our help.

She had everything here
and threw it all away.

Maybe.

I don't care.
All I know is I need to try.

There's only one problem.

[inhales] Finding her.

That won't be your only problem.

Mom...

Do you know where Jade is?

When Will gets home,

tell him I'll be at University Library.

[Paula] Okay.

[engine starting]

[sobbing]

- Evening, Professor!
- Hey Ms. Crock!

Mm, 'night.

[grunting]

- [sword swishes]
- [Onyx] Big mistake.

[Arrowette] Well, someone made one.

Drop your weapons.

[Onyx] You're not taking me back.

Uh, not sure where "back" is,

but I'm not opposed to taking you there.

You're sure not wanted here.

[Onyx] No one asked you.

Watch it!

[creaking]

- [grunts] We may need to take her more seriously.
- Noted.

[swishing]

[Onyx grunting]

- [electricity crackling]
- [groaning]

[Onyx groans]

You followed me from my home. My home!

You broke the rules.

[groans]

Makes me want to break some rules, too.

Cheshire...

[Cheshire yells]

[swishing]

[groans]

[grunts]

[groans]

What are you waiting for?

If you're going to finish it, finish it.

Spill.

I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to,
um, frighten you?

- Oh, like you could ever...
- Let her talk.

I-I wasn't following you to att*ck,

and I thought these two
were working for the Shadows.

My name is Onyx. Onyx Adams.

And I need your help.

Plus, I have help to offer in exchange.

What kind of help?

I've defected from
the League of Shadows.

Specifically to warn you.

- Look, can I stand up?
- No.

But I'm listening.

Okay, fine.

[exhales]

Cassandra Savage is on her way here.

She'll claim she defected

and she'll pretend to need your help,

but her true intent is to
become a mole on your team.

I think I've heard this one already.

[scoffs] About Red Arrow? Or Terra?

About Onyx, like two seconds ago.

So you want us to believe

that Vandal Savage's daughter
would believe

that we would believe

that she'd ever in , years
betray her father?

[scoffs] Hell would have to freeze over.

[Cassandra] Well, as a matter of fact...

[whirring]

...you might want
to break out your mittens.

I'll only need the one, thanks.

Why have you come, girl?

I know the Shadows have had
a contract on me

ever since I betrayed them
to save Red Arrow.

That is a truth, certainly,

but hardly one that answers my question.

I've come to end the conflict
once and for all...

by ending you... [gasps]

Please. You must be aware
that we are no longer

in the business of Shadows here.

Or Light, for that matter.

The Master has declared

that the world is full
of shades of grey.

Once a Shadow, always a Shadow.

You taught me that, Sensei.

I taught you many things, Jade Nguyen.

Foolishness is not one of them.

This isn't the act of a fool.

Something quite different is at play.

Cheshire may pretend

she is here to brave us in our home,

but truthfully, she came
because she is afraid.

So this is true?

You've "defected"?

Yes. And I'm asking for your protection.

[groans] I told you
that's what she'd say!

But I swear she's lying.

I overheard her
plotting with Lady Shiva.

That is why I came!

That's the lie.

After I escaped, the Shadows
must have sent Onyx

to sabotage my reception with you.

But if you turn me away,
you're signing my death warrant.

Our intel is that you're loyal
to your father, fiercely loyal.

I was.

Until my father k*lled my sister Olympia

right in front of my eyes.

It's been eating me up inside.

Eventually, I-I realized
I couldn't stay.

Oh, tell me you're not buying this.

I tried to escape
once before and failed.

I thought he'd k*ll me,

but Vandal Savage doesn't believe

in wasting a potential asset.

So instead, he did this
to teach me a lesson.

He gave me a choice between
the Shadows and death.

So I went back to Santa Prisca

where Deathstroke and Shiva
watched my every move.

I had to bide my time
before I could escape again.

There was no "first escape attempt"!

She lost that arm on a failed
mission to recruit k*ller Croc.

- You witnessed that?
- No, but...

Once a Shadow, always a Shadow.

Or so I've heard.

Neither of your stories
is particularly convincing.

But shouldn't we give them
the benefit of the doubt?

I mean, how can we be sure?

I dunno.

We may some need help working this out.

I assume you have a good therapist

lined up for your son.

He will not need one.

Unlike your daughter,

he will have grown up with his mother.

I did what was best for my girl.

What is best for my boy
is to be by my side.

I will never give Damian up.

Then you're a selfish fool.

And you are a coward.

[phone vibrating]

Cheshire...

- [grunts]
- ...you came here to die.

Come back when you are ready to live.

Please, please don't go!

Sorry, sis,

mom's not getting out
of prison any time soon,

and I refuse to live
in this house with just Dad.

Dad and you and me!

We have to keep this family
from falling apart.

Toothbrush, duh!

Knew I was forgetting something.

Dad'll come after you...

Let him. I'll disappear,
like the Cheshire Cat.

You should get out, too.

I'd let ya come with me,
but you'd slow me down.

Someone has to be here
when Mom gets out.

Haven't you learned anything?

In this family,
it's every girl for herself.

Is this really the best place
to bring these two?

We don't have a lot of options.

Can't take 'em to the Watchtower

or the Premiere Building.

I checked with Ollie,
and he gave his blessing.

If the Vault winds up compromised,

it's no huge loss.

He did say to keep you away
from the rocket launchers.

Ha-friggin'-ha.

- He really said that.
- Yeah, great.

- [Will] No, honest, he did.
- [Roy] Okay!

[Cassandra] I know
you're Sportsmaster's daughter.

You should understand my position.

Look out!

- [glass breaking]
- [grunts]

- Arrowette!
- [grunts]

I'm hit! Tranq dart...

[groans]

This is helpful.

[tires screeching]

[swishing]

- [grunts]
- Stay put. You're safer here.

- The truck.
- On it.

- With minimal property damage.
- Spoilsport.

Let me out! I can help!
[grunts in frustration]

[b*ll*ts ricocheting]

[both groan]

[grunts]

Property damage!

Shadow noodle trucks don't count.

- [Will] sn*per.
- On it.

- No property damage.
- Spoilsport.

[swishing]

[Will grunting]

That was my favorite clipboard!

[groans] Mother of Goat!

[swishing]

[clicks]

[grunts]

- [man groaning]
- Keep the pen.

Compliments of Bowhunter Security.

Our number's right on there.

[continues groaning]

On second thought,
I'm gonna need that back.

[grunts]

- [electricity crackling]
- [groans]

[groans]

[swishing]

[clatters]

[grunting]

[groans]

[choking]

[grunts]

[groans, coughs]

Thank you.

I go through more SUVs
with you people...

Ignoring you now.

[choking, groans]

So, basically, both of you could
have freed yourselves at any time.

- Basically.
- Of course.

And escaped, too.

- Basically.
- Of course.

[sirens approaching]

Those Shadows were after me, not Onyx.

It should be obvious now she's lying.

They att*cked Savage
to make her story seem truthful.

But she's obviously lying.

[door buzzes]

[computer] Temporary Cells
A and B secured.

Terra, you knew them both
when you were a Shadow.

What do you think?

Onyx had talent.

But she wasn't bloodthirsty
enough for Slade's tastes.

He never thought she'd make the cut.

Which would explain why she might run.

But Cassandra was always
a true believer.

She worshipped her father.

Hard to believe she'd ever betray him,

the Light or the Shadows.

In that world,
she'd be quite the scandal.

Um, yeah, no.

Spoiler [+]

If I learned
anything from Cluemaster,

it's that no matter
how hard it is to admit

your dear-old-dad's one of the bad guys,

sooner or later, you have to walk away.

You know what I'm talking about.

[Will] Some walk away.

But some definitely follow
in dear-old-dad's footsteps.

Icicle, Jr.

Cheshire.

Yes, what is that expression?

The falling apple does not
bounce far from one's head.

I think you're conflating
genetics with gravity.

But, yeah.

As the tree is bent, so grows the twig.

Sometimes the apple doesn't even fall.

It just sits on the branch
and turns rotten.

Are we still talking about
Cassandra and Onyx?

Cause all this apple stuff has made me
very confused and kinda hungry.

Orphan, you were a Shadow, too.

Should we trust Cassandra?

Onyx?

[Will sighs] They could both be moles.

And he's a former mole,
so he'd know. Ow!

It's an old Cold w*r strategy:

the bad guys send us two options,

and don't really care
which one we trust.

But wait, if they're both
equally untrustworthy,

doesn't that make them both
equally trustworthy?

Spoiler [+]

True. Both could be legit,

but the Shadows got them
to mistrust each other.

Geez, kick 'em both loose

and let the Shadows sort 'em out.

No. If there's even a chance

one of them or both
is telling the truth,

we have to protect her or them.

[sighs] You get the idea.

Everyone deserves a chance
at redemption.

Where's your sister?

Gone. For real.

You'll never find her.

Why would I look for her?

She'll be lucky if she survives a week.

But if she thinks she's ready
to be out on her own, fine.

Now, let's get you ready.

Ditch the books, baby girl.

Time to train.

[swishing]

I suggest you find another seat, yeah?

[exclaims]

[breathes deeply]

- What's wrong with Lian?
- Jade?

You signaled me. What's wrong with Lian?

N-N-Nothing.

I mean, sh-she asks about you
all the time,

but Lian's fine.

She's upstairs, asleep.

Then why did you call me?

I didn't.

[door opens]

[Artemis] I did.

[Artemis] "I see a beautiful city
and a brilliant people

rising from this abyss,

and, in their struggles
to be truly free,

in their triumphs and defeats,

through long years to come,

I see the evil of this time

and of the previous time of
which this is the natural birth,

gradually making expiation
for itself and wearing out.

I see the lives for which
I lay down my life,

peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy.

I see that I hold a sanctuary
in their hearts,

and in the hearts of their
descendants, generations hence.

I see her, an old woman,

weeping for me
on the anniversary of this day.

It is a far, far better thing that I do,

than I have ever done,

it is a far, far better rest
that I go to

than I have ever known."

Charles Dickens, "A Tale Of Two Cities".