_
It was a motley assortment
who came to rescue Grayson, Pierce, and Motherbox.
Clearly, Earth's various teams of heroes are cooperating
more than they have revealed to the public.
So it has always been.
And I had them all at my mercy.
But they escaped.
Thanks to a Boomtube-Boy and that Halo-Girl.
You need not concern yourself with Halo.
I already have plans for her capture and beyond.
Ultra-Humanite is not the only one
to express interest in the girl.
Securing her is my operation.
And per the Light's traditions,
that gives me first rights to her.
I see.
- _ - And what of the Markovs?
Slade?
Easy, Princess.
What are you doing?
I could ask you the same thing.
See, I know you haven't reported all you know
about either Halo or Victor Stone.
Explain yourself, girl. Now!
Sync & corrections by emeline-whovian www.addic7ed.com
Nothing to say?
You've gone soft on those people.
You're soft, Princess!
That's why those meta-traffickers
were able to grab you so easily.
But I promise I can toughen you up.
I am not soft.
I didn't report on Violet or Victor
because they're both developing situations.
I'm still gathering Intel.
I can't tell if you're trying to fool me or yourself.
And I can't decide which is worse.
You think those heroes are harmless.
Goody-two-shoes types who care about you.
You've clearly forgotten how much Brion cared
when he invited you to London,
then went clubbing while you were being abducted.
How much your parents cared
when they did next to nothing to track you down afterwards.
How much Jace cared when she dunked you into Bedlam's Tar.
You think your new friends are any better?
The moment they decide you're out of line,
the moment they fear they can't control you,
they'll slap an inhibitor collar
or a control chip on your neck.
Look, kid,
have I ever been anything but straight with you?
Tough, sure. For your own good.
But straight.
So take this.
Just in case.
His temperature's spiking.
Help me strap him down so he doesn't hurt himself.
I don't understand.
I mean, yeah, Granny's X-Pit was pure torture,
but I recovered. Why is Dick in such a bad way?
I wish I knew.
His brain is swelling.
Doctor Jace says we need ice to bring down his temperature.
We're on it.
Ice is on the way.
And then what?
It's a fair question, Courtney.
But the three of us hope we're making a difference
by inspiring young metas everywhere.
Showing them that the possibilities are...
- _ - Well, infinite.
Mother of Goat!
This Infinity Incorporated
is poaching on the Outsiders' turf.
Mmm. Oh, take it as a compliment.
We inspired them.
They wanna inspire others. Mmm.
And that's a good thing, right?
Always looking on the bright side.
I need that.
Frankly, I'd be lost without it.
Without you.
Not in a pancake mood?
It is difficult to enjoy pancakes
when my powers can do nothing to pull Dick back from death's door.
Didn't you just say she always looked on the bright side?
I think we all feel a bit guilty
we're here enjoying a meal while Dick is so ill.
What else can we do?
Doctor Jace asked us to give some space
to his oldest friends and family.
That reminds me.
Who is his family?
Is Grayson's father Bruce Wayne...
Look, can we talk about Gretchen?
She's the reason Dick's... Well, you know.
She almost killed Jeff and Motherbox too,
using some serious Apokoliptan tech.
You know she's got something else cooking.
And I'm not talking about pancakes.
We need to take her down!
His temperature's down. He's stable for the moment.
Take a break, Doctor.
We'll call you if anything changes.
Coffee?
You're a lifesaver.
I think that's your job.
I'm in way over my head, Jeff.
I'm here for you.
Anything you need.
- Is everything... - There's no change.
Alfred's with him.
Kaldur, M'gann. A word.
It's a shame it takes something like this
to bring everyone together.
Yeah.
A shame.
I'm sorry, but I hereby
tender my resignation to the Justice League.
Since when are we working for the League?
We're not.
I want nothing to do with Batman Incorporated.
The truth is, I don't trust you.
Son of a...
You were all working together!
Mr. "I Don't Join Teams" Grayson takes me on a rogue mission
to Granny's house,
where we're rescued by the co-chair
of the Justice League and a Bat-Family drone!
- That's on me. - I can explain.
Oh, I'm sure it is.
And I'm sure you can.
But it doesn't stop there.
Or start there, for that matter.
That joint op busting meta-traffickers around the world?
Dick explained it all so logically.
It was Intel M'gann provided to us,
to the Team, and to the League.
But, of course, it was really the six of you coordinating.
Just how long have you been coordinating?
When I quit the Justice League and wouldn't join Batman Inc.?
Did Dick recruit me for Markovia just to keep me in the fold?
Holy... When the League split,
Batman didn't blindside Aquaman!
You both planned it in advance!
Created that dog and pony show
to lie to every one of your fellow Leaguers!
And why?
So you could break the law with impunity
while dragging me into it?
It is not as bad as... As you make it sound.
Oh, no, I'm guessing it's worse.
Everything's a lie!
Badass Kaldur getting his bad ass kicked in Brooklin, Maine?
That was just to make the Outsiders look good, wasn't it?
- No! - That's not what happened!
Not bad enough you manipulate me...
...you had to manipulate these idealistic kids!
Be silent, my child, and follow me.
_
I don't understand.
Should we really be leaving now, with Dick in such...
I'll explain in the car.
Brion? Tara?
What's going on?
I have good news, Violet.
My mentor has found a cure for your condition.
My condition? But they don't...
It's all right.
I know you were having trouble
deciding how to break the news,
so I told them.
And they're here to support you.
Right, kids?
Yes, Doctor Jace.
I'm so glad you finally know.
Now there are no more secrets between us.
No secrets.
That's my boy. Seat belts, everyone.
No wonder you were kidnapped.
Even with your powers,
you can't seem to take care of yourself.
Look, kid, I got you away from your abductors,
which is something your family and country couldn't do.
But we both need to make sure
no one can ever hurt you like that again.
So try harder!
We were using Bo staffs!
But in this world it doesn't pay to fight fair.
I'm glad you've learned that.
I'm so proud of you, Tara.
Didn't we feel enough of this mode
when Artemis faked her death?
Is this how Batman teaches you to treat your friends and teammates?
'Cause I bet Superman or Wonder Woman
sure wouldn't approve.
Uh... Diana's part of this.
And Cassie doesn't know?
You never told her?
Dude, this is gonna end you two for good.
You know that, right?
So your little secret society of superheroes
orchestrated events in Brooklin, Maine?
No, the Brooklin Warbugs
and the Reach ship were real threats.
We just kinda teed it up for you guys.
We didn't need that!
Look what we accomplished in Dublin!
What? You're saying Dublin was teed up, too?
But the girl and her dad?
The girl was M'gann.
Her dad was Bruce.
M'gann! You did that to me?
I cannot believe this!
The whole point of the Outsiders
is to be in the open!
Give kids something that's theirs.
You guys corrupted that!
Look, you may not like our methods,
and maybe we did go too far.
But you've secretly and knowingly coordinated the Outsiders
with the Team and the League.
- That's different. - Not very.
You wanted to go head-to-head with Lex and Granny in public.
We were going head-to-head
with the Light behind the scenes.
And we did it in a way
that allowed you to preserve your integrity.
So now you're mad at us for it?
Condiment King?
All yours.
You're not even sorry!
We are sorry we have made you feel this way.
That's not an apology!
I am not going to apologize for putting the mission first.
What good is the mission
if we lose ourselves trying to fulfill it?
Jeff.
I think the person you're really angry with...
is me.
My mentor should be here any minute.
In the meantime, lie down,
and I will prep you for the procedure.
Wait. I remember...
Overlord,
cerebral-leash, please.
No!
Don't want...
I didn't know you were bringing a friend.
Friend?
Let's call ourselves associates.
I told you
trying to sedate her wouldn't work.
It was worth a try.
After all, a control chip
might or might not have worked on this one,
and we couldn't risk tipping her off beforehand.
I've fulfilled my part of the bargain.
I'm ready to depart with Brion and Tara, as promised.
You'll get what you're owed
when we are good and ready.
Oh, stop pouting.
So you're not getting the Halo-Girl.
When the time comes, you can have the Boomtube-Boy to play with.
I don't understand.
We had an arrangement.
There's been a change in plans, my dear.
But don't let it worry you.
I feel a great sympathy between us, Helga.
You're a mother who knows how to keep her children in line.
I admire that.
Would you care to see
what we have planned for this Motherbox-Girl?
I admit, I'm curious.
Excellent. Motherbox, rise.
Overlord.
What... What is this?
This is an X-Pit.
We're safe within the Cube,
which protects us
from the effects of the Pit's Ghost Dimension.
Said effects are somewhat deleterious
to mind, spirit, and body.
In my proper role as matron of my master's Orphanage,
I hone his young warriors, and often use X-Pits
for discipline, correction,
and to prepare a subject's brain for reprogramming.
It's quite effective...
in the short term.
But only because my children
fear the consequences of returning to the Pit.
My, uh, dirty little secret
is that the process is flawed and impermanent.
Free will has not been truly eliminated.
But after seeing a Motherbox
trapped inside this organic form,
I formulated a theory...
There. Do you see?
It's a reflex. She can't help herself.
She's activated her healing aura,
but it doesn't seem to help.
Overlord, do your readings confirm my suspicions?
Yes.
The Ghost Dimension has repolarized the power
emanating from the Motherbox's human flesh.
Meaning what?
Meaning she's the key
to solving the Anti-Life Equation.
I wish Jeff understood.
We were trying to protect him.
We were trying to protect them all.
I know. But... But what if we were wrong?
Would you want to be protected that way?
I wouldn't need to be.
- Well, maybe they don't either. - Maybe.
But even the debate
brings the mission to a grinding halt.
So you just decide for everyone?
Wow, that's not patronizing at all.
Barbara, you know I didn't decide this alone.
The seven of us agreed.
We had to fight fire with fire.
It's true. And I'm not absolving myself.
But have you noticed your little Illuminati society
is made up entirely of former proteges?
Proteges accustomed to following your orders without question.
- Diana... - Is out in space
where she only learns of our activities
as a fait accompli.
- The mission... - Whose mission, Bruce?
The mission or your mission?
What is this "Anti-Life Equation"?
I'd have thought that obvious.
Life minus free will equals Anti-Life,
but the formula must be tested.
What just happened?
Another proof.
Clearly, Motherbox is still connected
to the Source of all Life,
but without the unfortunate technological safeguards Metron
built into all non-organic Mother and Fatherboxes.
So Halo's organics make her the key
to this "Anti-Life Equation"?
With her connection to the Source of Life repolarized?
I believe it does.
The Ghost Dimension plus Halo equals Anti-Life.
But one final test remains.
Do you have truths
you wish to share with your children, Doctor?
No. I...
Don't be modest, dear. Spill your secrets.
I... I only wanted to protect meine Kinder.
For Tara and Brion are mine.
My creations.
After Bedlam abducted the princess
and brought her to my lab,
- No! - ...I destroyed the old Tara, drowned her.
What emerged was not the Markovs' human daughter.
No. Tara was reborn as a meta-human.
A meta-human I had brought into this world.
She was now my daughter.
- Tara! - No!
But when Baron Bedlam
stole my girl away from me,
I swore revenge upon him,
but need to forge a new weapon to get it.
Brion is such a sweet boy at heart,
that manipulating him was child's play.
I planted seeds,
subtly leading him to beg to become a meta.
When he had second thoughts...
No!
...I took the difficult decision out of his hands...
...and brought my son into this world.
But the Markovs were hardly my only subjects.
There was also Gabrielle.
After the King and Queen's assassination,
DeLamb wanted any potential witness removed.
Gabrielle was sent to me,
but she tested negative for the meta-gene.
She was useless.
Bedlam's thug wanted to shoot her, right there in my lab.
But that would've made a mess.
So I put her to sleep with an overdose of morphine.
It was a lovely surprise
to learn you had survived to become a meta-human.
I reasoned your genetic test had produced a false negative
and that the morphine activated your meta-gene.
I believed with all my heart that Gabrielle had been reborn
as my daughter, Violet.
Just as Brion had been reborn as my son.
But how was I to stay near you both,
let alone find Tara?
So I seduced Jeff,
used him to reunite with my children.
But, after learning the truth
about Gabrielle and the spirit of the Motherbox within her,
I began to suspect Violet might not be my child,
my creation at all.
To be certain, I tested Violet's hair follicles
and discovered my initial diagnosis was correct.
Gabrielle never had the meta-gene.
The girl was some kind of sick joke,
a corpse revivified by an alien machine.
And worse, this thing was dating my son.
I had to separate them.
So I lied, telling her she was dying.
Even convincing her not to burden her friends with her illness.
Anything to keep her dependent on me
and drive a wedge between this pretender and my boy.
But I knew this subterfuge couldn't last.
And now that I was reunited with my children,
I was impatient to create more.
I contacted Ultra-Humanite,
and in exchange for delivering this Motherbox-Girl up to him,
he agreed to arrange our exit
and set us up somewhere I could continue my work,
increasing the size of our family.
I'm sorry about the control chips.
But I couldn't take the chance of losing you again.
In time, I'm sure they'll no longer be necessary.
Of that, I am now certain.
Overlord, take us back.
Ah, secrets can be such a burden, Helga.
You had to know your words
would make your children despise you forever,
but you kept right on talking.
I suppose you hate me for that.
Answer truthfully, now.
Yes.
But would you do absolutely anything for me?
Yes.
Such is the power of the Equation.
The Light may keep its Starro-tech and control chips.
My Master will have Halo, and through her, Anti-Life.
You have overplayed your hand.
Mmm. I think not.
I think perhaps you have.
We will no longer be controlled.
Take this. Just in case.
Motherbox, protect.
Violet! No!
Tara! Brion! No!
Jeff...
- Please... - Stop.
You're not sorry either. I'm so gone.
Where's Helga?
Uh, she left a while ago with Violet and the Markovs.
Yeah, I don't blame her.
Probably didn't want them to see all this.
Where's Violet? Where's Helga?
We went to a lot
of trouble to place Tara Markov with the heroes.
There was no way
we would honor Jace's terms,
even in trade for Halo.
But Jace didn't, and still doesn't, know that.
I gave Tara an antidote chip before Jace could take her,
so that the Markovs'
could believably break free on their own,
keeping both exactly where we want them.
That may soon be immaterial.
It's no wonder Darkseid insisted you give him Halo.
The galactic balance of power will shift irrevocably
once Granny hands over
this living key to the Anti-Life Equation.
We have to rescue Violet!
But we don't know where she is.
This can't be true.
I am sorry, but it is.
If my control chip hadn't malfunctioned,
Brion and I would never have escaped.
- Helga... - Jace betrayed you.
Betrayed us all.
I gotta get outta here.
- Jefferson... - Don't follow me!
- _ - Here she is, as promised.
The missing variable in the Anti-Life Equation.
You'll find her a very well-behaved child.
Just as I prefer.
You were right about the heroes.
They betray each other at every turn.
They cannot be trusted.
So, what do you need me to do?
Sync & corrections by emeline-whovian www.addic7ed.com