QUEEN BEE: We have two situations.
Each of which requires delicate handling.
I have every confidence our new hire can handle the first.
But, Vandal, are you certain your acquaintance is up to the second task?
Quite certain.
Then our good works may proceed.
(SPEAKING IN ALIEN LANGUAGE)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
This is Cat Grant reporting live from Taos, New Mexico.
Where Justice League co-chair Aquaman is about to make a statement.
Which Cat gets to cover, as usual.
I swear, you have one set of twins and everyone forgets you're a reporter.
AQUAMAN: (ON TV) Good morning, everyone.
The Justice League and S.T.A.R. Labs are pleased to announce the official opening
of the first Meta-Human Youth Center
for children and teens victimized by meta-human trafficking.
Allow me to introduce the newly named director of the center.
Dr. Eduardo Dorado, Sr.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you, Aquaman.
The M.H.Y.C.'s goal is to help these young people
adjust to their new abilities and to readjust to the world around them.
There are resources here for these children.
Scientists, like myself, who can help them control their conditions,
Justice Leaguers donating time to train them,
and youth counselors who understand exactly what they're going through.
-Our hope is a simple one. -(DOOR BELL RINGS)
-(KIDS LAUGHING) -Whoa, whoa, Dawny, Don!
BART: No worries! I can keep up with the Tornado Toddlers.
(SIGHS) Thanks, Bart. I really appreciate the help.
Today especially.
(BABBLING)
Come on, Dad. Stay whelmed.
Don't call him "Dad."
Oh, yeah, right. Spoilers.
Sorry, Grandma!
IRIS: And don't call me "Grandma!"
Hello, Iris. Are we late?
Mera. No, you and Artur are the first to arrive.
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
CAT:We now return youto the G. Gordon Godfrey Show.
Back to you, G. Gordon.
Thank you, Cat Grant.
We'll be getting back to the meta-human delinquent center in just a moment.
-(MUNCHING) -But first, allow me to introduce our guest.
Founder of Goode World Studios, Gretchen Goode.
Or as she's more popularly known,
Granny Goodness.
Gretchen's just fine, G. Gordon.
Okay, Granny.
Your Goode V.R. goggles are on absolutely everyone's shopping list.
And it's only September.
We've had modest success with the goggles, yes.
You mean, modest success turning the brains of every kid in America to mush!
(BUZZER SOUNDS)
Oh. I... I wouldn't say that.
No, I imagine you wouldn't.
But my viewers prefer the truth.
And the truth, in my opinion, is that these goofy glasses
are just another way for kids to disengage from the world,
disrespect their teachers, disappoint their parents,
discombobulate their emotions, and decetera...
G. Gordon, I'm proud of our product.
I started Goode World with a simple goal.
To spark the imagination. That has not changed. (SIGHS WEARILY)
But, that's not what I came to talk about.
Goode World Studios and the Wayne Foundation
have partnered to help victims of meta-trafficking.
We've made donations to the new Meta-Human Youth Center in Taos,
and other similar charities.
This is something that Bruce Wayne and I both believe in passionately.
Our children are our future.
(YAWNS) Excuse me.
Let's cut to it, shall we?
You want "props" for giving money to the meta-freaks
actively engaged in destroying our way of life?
Bruce and I both feel...
Oh, yes. Your precious Bruce Wayne.
You know he declined to come on our show?
Wonder what he's hiding.
Hmm...
Now, as for this boondoggle of a youth center...
(TV TURNS OFF)
MEGAN: (TALKING TELEPATHICALLY)You don't have to turn it off.
I mean, I don't understand howyou can listen to the non-stop hatred that man spews, but...
CONNER:He's the worst. I know. But he's kinda...
-Fascinating. -(DOOR OPENS)
Besides, we can't live in a bubble. We need to know
-what the other side is saying about us. -LUCAS: Hello.
-Hi, Lucas. -Hi.
Good morning, Lucas Carr. (MUNCHING)
So, wanna carpool?
I thought you'd already left.
My first student appointment isn't until 11:30, but you'll be late.
Coming in when I want.
Just one of the perks of being the new principal of Happy Harbor High.
Really?
Uh, occasionally. Assuming the school board doesn't get wise.
Okay, then. (KISSES)
-Bye, guys. -Have fun.
Goodbye, Megan Morse.
KING MARKOV: (ON VIDEO) Yes, Quraci refugees will be allowed to stay in Markovia.
It was my parents' wish.
And I do not believe my father and mother would wanttheir deaths used as an excuse
for Markovia to abandon its humanitarian principles.
REPORTER: What about meta-humanity? Will Markovia lift its ban...
KING MARKOV: Patience, please.
Meta-human policy is a subject for another day.
Our focus now is on the needs of these refugees.
We better get to work, too.
So, Jeff's been spending a lot of time with Dick, Conner and Artemis.
Seems to be going pretty well.
I had a feeling my ex wouldn't be able to give up the hero life for very long.
Not that it's my business anymore.
I get it. And I really shouldn't be the one bringing up exes.
Glass houses and all that.
So, speaking of your transparent living arrangements,
what's the deal with you and Artemis?
What deal? No deal.
There's no deal. I mean, I'm grateful for her help with Brion but...
Uh, don't get the wrong idea.
Really? You're both single, living in the same house...
But, sorry, I shouldn't make assumptions.
Yeah... No.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
RAQUEL: Don't get up, Iris. I've got it.
Karen, you came!
When you're invited to join a club this exclusive,
you don't say no.
You got a baby in you.
That's right, Amistad. I do.
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Hello, Brion. I mean, Geo-Force. Geo-Force.
Hello, Halo.
No, not like that.
The Forager will demonstrate.
Hello, Violet. Forager means Halo. Halo.
Do not worry. Geo-Force may still learn.
JACE: Hello, children.
Dr. Jace?
Thank you for allowing me to join you here.
Oh, thank Jeff for convincing us.
Oh, she has.
Hello, Dr. Jace.
Forager means Dr. Jace. Dr. Jace.
Forager is Forager.
Hello, Forager.
Hmm.
Humans can be very slow of study.
Gabrielle, it's so good to see you.
I'm not Gabrielle. I'm Violet.
Besides, right now, I'm Halo. Halo.
(SCOFFS) Now Halo is just showing off.
I'm sorry, Violet. Halo, you're right.
And I owe you an apology as well, Prince Brion.
Everything that's happened to you is my fault.
I thought you were the only one who could stop your uncle and Bedlam.
If I'd known these good people were coming to help...
(SIGHS) I know it wasn't your fault.
You were Bedlam's victim, too.
But not the only one.
What are we doing to get Princess Tara back?
Nightwing has a plan.
I'm told we must be...
Patient.
(GUN FIRES)
Geo-Force, get down!
(GUN FIRING)
What? What's going on?
Wait. What's happening? The children!
Let them solve it, Helga.
FORAGER: Geo-Force, Halo and Forager are being tested.
HALO: So we must fight back to pass the test.
(YELLS)
-(GUN FIRES) -(GRUNTS)
-(HALO GASPS) -NIGHTWING: Okay, that's enough.
Is he insane?
-He was using rubber bullets. -(GROANS)
Painful, but non-lethal if carefully aimed.
That doesn't answer my question!
(GEO-FORCE GROANING)
Brion, are you all right?
GEO-FORCE: Fine, I'm fine.
Halo, Forager, you both get A grades for reflexive action, evaluation and adaptability.
(BOTH LAUGH)
Geo-Force, you get an F in all categories.
-(KIDS GIGGLING) -Greetings, children. And fellow parents.
Glad you're here, John. It's tough being the only dad in the room.
WOMEN: Is it now?
No, maybe not. I...
-Uncle John, do the twisties! -Please! Please!
They have been talking about it all day.
So, if it's not too much trouble...
It would be my pleasure.
(KIDS LAUGHING)
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
I came here for training. Not cheap shots!
All right. Let's dial this down a few degrees.
No, it's okay. Let him say his piece.
Well, thank you for the indulgence.
(SIGHS) Do you have a point to make or not?
Otherwise, let's get back to training.
Training is all you care about, isn't it?
You promised me Tara. We know she's on Santa Prisca.
So what are we waiting for?
We don't know she's there, and we don't want a repeat
of the Infinity Island debacle, do we?
Brion, you need to be patient.
(SCOFFS) Everyone preaches patience.
Fine, but perhaps you'd care to explain the point of that last exercise?
A surprise attack proves nothing!
Hmm. In your case, it proves you need to train for surprise attacks.
-(THUDS) -(ALL GRUNTING)
(GROANS)
(JACE GASPS)
AUTOMATED VOICE: Translating Interlac.
The Main Man's contracted to kill this bug.
The rest of you can go.
Not gonna happen.
Fine.
-You had your chance. -(CRACKS KNUCKLES)
(LAUGHING)
(GRUNTING)
-(ELECTRICITY CRACKLING) -(GRUNTING)
(SPEAKS ALIEN LANGUAGE)
Crazy Kryptonian thinks he can frag the Main Man?
(GRUNTING)
(GROANS)
We gotta get you to safety!
Forget me. Protect my kids!
(GROANS)
Maneuver 16!
-(WHIRRING) -LOBO: Huh?
(GRUNTS)
(CHUCKLES, WHISTLES)
(LASERS FIRING)
(GRUNTING)
Halo! Fly Forager outta here!
HALO: Of course!
(ALL GRUNTING)
There's no running from the Main Man!
(SCREAMS)
Halo!
(HALO GROANS)
(LOBO GRUNTS)
LOBO: Ugh.
I hate cleaning this thing.
(MUFFLED) I'm gonna frag that, that bastard.
Who hired you? Was it Mantis?
Was it Ma'alefa'ak?
The Main Man doesn't kill and tell.
Clear!
-(ELECTRICITY CRACKLING) -(GRUNTING)
(SCREAMING)
Louise. I'm so glad you and Jonathan could make it.
-Oh, we wouldn't miss it. -(KIDS LAUGHING)
It's the one place I can relax with people who truly understand what our lives,
what the life is like.
And our numbers are growing. It's a full house.
(LAUGHING)
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
I am impressed.
Look at all you've accomplished.
You discovered where the parents and children
came to gather for their play date.
You leased the house across the street, set up wire taps,
cameras, microphones, infra-red...
You've truly mastered the surface world.
These are useful skills.
Worthy of the Shadows. Not to be wasted.
(IN ENGLISH) I'm glad you approve, Lady Shiva.
Now watch as I step outside and with one blast from Neptune's trident,
deal a blow from which the so-called heroes
will never recover.
Yes, you could do that. It has been contemplated.
As you know, it's what the Light refers to as their
BOTH: Nuclear option.
But the thing about going nuclear,
is that one must be prepared for mutually assured destruction.
So the Light has vowed never to use this option lightly.
Please. I am Orm, the Ocean-Master.
A Prince of Atlantis.
(SCOFFS) Prince... I should be King!
Instead I spent six years inside an Atlantean prison!
Six years!
I will not be denied my revenge.
(SIGHS) That's what the Light assumed.
That's why I'm here.
-(BLADE UNSHEATHES) -Hmm?
(GRUNTS)
DON: (LAUGHING) Dad! Slow down!
IRIS: Don't call him Dad!
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING AND LAUGHING)
BART: Come on here! Oh, yeah? You think you can do fast? Come on!
-WOMAN: Oh, we're having such a wonderful time! -(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)
GEO-FORCE: Surrender before it's too late!
I could buy a new vest and regenerate new skin.
But you sure ain't gonna grow new heads to replace the ones I tear off ya!
Geo-Force, the ground!
Cut it out, scummy Earther!
The Main Man's gonna frag all you--
(SPEAKING MUFFLEDLY)
(GROANS)
(YELLS)
-(FIRES GUN) -Get down! (GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS) Thank you.
How many of these crazy bugs are there?
(GRUNTING)
These bastiches are fakes!
You're behind this!
Looks like the Main Man's gotta frag you all over again.
No, stay way from her!
Dr. Jace! Get back!
(GRUNTING)
(GROWLS)
-(HALO GRUNTS) -(GRUNTS)
Gonna frag that cheesy fem till she's dust!
Ha! Got ya!
Forager!
No!
(ALL GRUNTING)
Stop!
(ALL GRUNTING)
No!
(BLOWS AIR)
Hmm. Just get over here.
Don't feel too bad.
You bastiches did better than most.
(ENGINE REVVING)
(CLICKING)
-Is Lobo gone? -(GASPS)
-You're alive! -You're pink!
Forager shed his exo-shell to fool Lobo. (CLICKS)
But Forager thinks Forager now understands what friends meant by
"not liking to be naked."
(CHUCKLES)
Oh. Sorry. I can't. You're too...
Goochy.
I don't care how goochy you are!
But you are indeed quite goochy.
Uh, yeah. Welcome to the fake-your-own-death club.
Its membership is very exclusive and I'm the president.
Forager thanks Artemis Crock.
Forager thanks all his friends
for risking limb and life to save Forager.
The humans here are all truly drones in Forager's hive.
(CLICKING)
CONNER: The feeling's mutual, kid.
NIGHTWING: We always take care of our own.
The Central City job is done.
And the heroes will never know.
QUEEN BEE: Excellent work, Lady Shiva.
You were clearly the right choice to become the Light's new enforcer.
As to the other item of business,
Lobo may not know he failed, but killing Forager was never the point.
We can now confirm Vertigo's testimony.
That the Superboy and Black Lightning
participated in the Markovian incident.
ULTRA-HUMANITE: Such a waste.
We lost an excellent source of meta-humans.
There are other options on that front.
But after Markovia, and after the communique from Ra's al Ghul,
the Light required confirmation of all we suspected.
Now, we can be certain that Grayson has assembled a new off-the-books team,
consisting of the Superboy, Lightning, Sportsmaster's younger daughter,
the banished Prince of Markovia,
the New Genesian Bug and an unknown meta-girl.
Seven champions. An elegant number.
And we've learned to our regret
that young heroes like these
can cause the seven of us no end of trouble.
No worries, my friends.
A plan is in place.
We'll deal with these naughty children
in our own good time.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)