Shades of Red

Season 1, Episode 7

"*Knock knock, your parents are dead.*"
—Ra's al Ghul's joke to Batman

## Description

"Shades of Red” is the seventh episode of the first season of *Young Justice Abridged*. It was uploaded to YouTube on March 10th, 2015. The first part can be watched here.

## Plot

Ra's al Ghul is attacked by Batman at his home, who wants to know why he brought Jason Todd back from the dead. Ra's reveals that he set the Red Hood loose on Gotham City to cause chaos as revenge for the Dark Knight having sex with his daughter. Batman warns the Demon's Head that he'll be watching him closely.

At Mount Justice, the Young Justice team goes through counseling with Black Canary to go through some of their trauma. Superboy refuses to open up and walks out immediately, preferring to go watch Star Wars. M'gann M'orzz explains her obsession with the show *Hello Megan!* Even though it's an outdated sitcom with negative female stereotypes, she wants to emulate some of the happiness Megan felt on the show that's been missing in her own life. Artemis Crock has had to grow up with a dysfunctional family. Her older sister Jade used to bully her and her mother Paula desperately wanted her daughter to give her grandchildren. Artemis expresses admiration towards her father Lawrence for supporting her interests and encouraging her happiness, despite his career as an assassin and supervillain. When asked about her attraction to Wally West, she mostly denies it, though not entirely. Canary suspects that the speedster himself is the victim of an eating disorder, wondering if there's someone pushing him into this. In reality, Klarion is behind the increased eating habits, still on a quest to fatten the child up so he can have his way with the boy. Kaldur'ahm worries about losing his hair and is spread thin leading the team. Canary suggests a vacation. Tim Drake mourns the loss of his artificial intelligence girlfriend. He also expresses concern about the Jason Todd situation in Gotham.

Meanwhile, a Korean peace summit is held in Taipei, with a mystery middleman coming to help reunify the two nations. Red Arrow watches from the shadows, having been tipped off that the assassin Cheshire may try and interrupt the summit. His secure channel is hacked by an unknown caller, who claims to have been watching Arrow for some time and knows his true identity. Red Arrow has to abandon the call to stop Cheshire from assassinating the mystery middleman, who is revealed to be Lex Luthor. The billionaire stops the hero from being arrested and requests his help in stopping the assassins.

Red Arrow tries to interrogate Cheshire, who seduces the archer before escaping with her father Sportsmaster. The hero tracks them to a base in the city, where the assassins meet with Ra's al Ghul. The killers prepare themselves for another attack on Lex but notice Red Arrow watching them. The archer barely manages to escape. His unknown stalker calls again, promising to reveal himself when the time is right.

Lex explains his obsession with beating Superman to Red Arrow, envying the Man of Steel's appreciation and always wanting to one-up him. He implies that he may have to run for President one day. With the help of Aqualad, Red Arrow is able to stop Cheshire and Sportsmaster from completing their mission and the nations are ratified. Lex Luthor capitalizes on the opportunity to show off his bodyguard Mercy, a powerful android that he offers to sell to the leaders. Red Arrow discovers that the mysterious person who's been calling him is Jason Todd, who wants to form an alliance.

In a post-credits scene, the Light meets to discuss the events in Taipei. Vandal Savage reveals that Red Arrow isn't the actual Roy Harper, but a clone that they are using to infiltrate the Justice League. The villains prepare to capture Captain Marvel and Ra's al Ghul sends assassins after Jason Todd to eliminate the rogue operative.

## Cast

* Leik777 as Tim Drake/Robin and Oliver Queen/Green Arrow
* Alejandro Saab as Wally West/Kid Flash and Jason Todd/Red Hood
* Sehanort as Kaldur'ahm/Aqualad
* Starbeastrave as Superboy, Clark Kent/Superman, and the Brain
* EileMonty as M'gann M'orzz/Miss Martian and Queen Bee
* TallestSilver as Artemis Crock/Artemis and Cat Grant
* Midgettoe2000 as Roy Harper/Red Arrow
* TemporaryButterfly as Dinah Lance-Queen/Black Canary
* EliteF50 as Bruce Wayne/Batman
* LordJazor as Ra's al Ghul, Lex Luthor, Lawrence Crock/Sportmaster, Vandal Savage, and Orm/Ocean Master
* Milkpiece as Jade Nguyen/Cheshire and Avi
* daRKIERAWR as J'onn J'onzz/Martian Manhunter and Klarion
* Redmiel as Lois Lane and Mercy

Additionally, Red Tornado and Billy Batson/Captain Marvel appear in a non-speaking capacity. Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne, Paula Crock, Arthur Curry/Aquaman, and Roy Harper/Frank are also mentioned.

## Trivia

* When the Light members all reply with "the greater good" at the same time, it's a reference to *Hot Fuzz*.