Disclaimer: I don't own YJ, they belong to DC. I own my OCs!

Atlantic Ocean

April 9, 01:16 EDT

Artemis is just laying in her bed, going over everything that has transpired. "How did it all go so wrong so fast?" She sighs, "I'd say I have no one to blame but myself, except it's getting a little hard to remember exactly who myself is."

She stands up and stands in front of the mirror. Taking off the mask, she sees her tired face.

"Thanks to this glamour charm, the whole world thinks I'm Tigress, professional assassin and trusted member of Black Manta's organization. But I'm one of the few people the charm doesn't effect and when I look in the mirror, it's the only reminder I have left that I'm still Artemis.

"What was I thinking? Wally and I really had something special together leaving the whole hero thing behind so we could just be normal but when Nightwing called, I couldn't say yes fast enough. I wish I could talk to Mia about this. She would know what to say. I can just imagine her yelling at me 'What the hell were you thinking?! You and Wally deserve a normal life and not worry about the hero gig. I swear that if you do this again, I'm kicking your ass!' She really is the best friend…no, sister, a girl could ask for."

Artemis punches the mirror and breaks it.

'Tigress, report to Kaldur'ahm's quarters at once.'

She puts the mask back on and walks to Kaldur's room. Opening the door, she says.

"Yes, boss?"

"This is Psimon," Psimon removes his hood. "He is here to psychically repair the shattered mind of my son."

"He can do that?"

"Indeed, my dear. I'll dig right in and root about, piecing his entire mental life together. By the time I'm done, I'll know Kaldur'ahm better than he knows himself."

"Perfect." "Yeah, perfect. If you don't mind Psimon learning all of Kaldur's secrets, including the one about Aqualad and I being double agents for the Team and Justice League. How did it all go so wrong so fast?"

"When can you begin?" Manta asks.

"I need to focus," Psimon sits down next to Kaldur. "Set my own mental house in order before I enter his ruins."

"Stay with them until the process is complete." Manta lays a hand on Artemis' shoulder, "My son never spoke of his feelings, but his words could not hide how much he cared for you, Tigress."

"I don't speak about my feelings either. Not with words."

"Your actions define you. I respect that. So you'll be glad to know I will take action against the Martian witch that did this to our beloved Kaldur'ahm."

Manta leaves.

"Great. Now I have to rescue Miss Martian, too. Long distance, no less."

Taos

April 9, 00:20 MDT

The Team gathers at STAR Labs.

"I'm not very comfortable with this. Delving into your mind, it-it is an intrusion," M'gann states.

"You have my permission. We must be able to trust each other."

B'aar attempts to smile but it just creeps M'gann and Mia out instead.

"Yikes," Mia cringes at the sight of his smile. "I've never seen Meg like this before. She's really freaking out after what happened with Kaldur."

"I still think she let him off easy."

"Shut up. No one asked you."

"Does my smile displease? Is this not how humans convey friendship and put each other at ease?"

"It's a bit forceful if you ask me," Mia softly spoke.

"There has to be another way," Connor tells Nightwing.

"Look, I'm not sure what the Martian etiquette is here, but Green Beetle is right. We need to trust each other, which means we need to confirm he is who he says he is. Miss M is our only real option."

"Go for it Angelfish. Reading this guy will be like a piece of crab cake," La'gaan comforts M'gann.

"Please, proceed with the mind link."

M'gann takes a deep breath then her eyes turn green. B'aar's turn red.

"Link established."

"Ah. So you are a White Martian. You came to Earth in order to pass as green. That must have been difficult."

"I'm supposed to be reading you."

"But your reluctance to probe deeply is clear. You hide the specifics, but I sense you have recently had a most negative experience during a hostile mind link so allow me to volunteer my thoughts. In this way, you can be sure nothing so unfortunate will occur."

M'gann nods. When he does, the mind link gets dropped.

She turns to Nightwing. "Green Beetle is on our side."

Mia's still frowning but she keeps it discreet. The only ones to notice are her brothers.

"Someone's not a happy camper."

"I don't have time to deal with you."

"You're suspicious of him too."

It's not a question. Labiwa's right, Mia is suspicious of B'aar but she can't put her finger on it.

"I'll just have to keep a close eye on him."

"Sounds like a plan."


"All right, I'm ready. Let's see what the weather's like in there." Artemis discreetly fires a dart at Psimon. It hits its mark. "Hmm. The Martian really did a number on you, Kaldur," he rubs his neck, "Believe me, I know how it feels but fear not we'll have you up and running in…no time." The effects of the dart begin to kick in. Psimon shakily stands up. "Something's…wrong. My mind…clouding over."

A psychic wave hits Artemis. This allows Psimon to get a glimpse into her mind. Using his telekinesis, he holds Artemis up against the wall.

"You!"

"Ohh! Uhh!"

He repeatedly bashes her into the wall.

"You drugged me! But why?" He holds her up in the air, "Psimon says reveal your secrets!"

Psimon reads her mind. "Artemis! You're Artemis, and the drug…an invention of your father, Sporstmaster. A single dose simulates catatonia, for weeks but you—heh—miscalculated…how quickly it takes effect." Psimon falls into said catatonia state right as Manta bursts into the room.

"What happened?

She groans. "I'm not sure. He just went berserk," Artemis stands up, "Is it possible Miss Martian left some kind of telepathic virus in Kaldur's mind?"

"If she did, then any telepath we might employ would only suffer the same fate."

"There's still one telepath who can help us—Miss Martian herself. It's our only recourse. Send me to the mainland. I'll bring back the Martian, and we'll force her to cure Kaldur."

"Yes. Yes, of course but she is dangerous. Kaldur would never forgive me if I sent you to face her alone."

"I'll take a squad of troopers."

"No. You'll take Deathstroke."

"Perfect." "Perfect."


~ "Become a citizen of the Milky Way by holding out your hand

Grab the taste that'll make your day.

When sippin', you'll understand

Our friends have come from far beyond"

Chorus: 'Friends have come from far beyond.'

"To help us and to teach"

Chorus: 'To help us and to teach'

"Quench your thirst while we all bond.

Don't wait, reach for a Reach.

Yeah, in strawberry, mango, or in peach.

Reach for a Reach" ~

'From Lexcorp and the Reach.'

The ad ends. When it's over, all Mia can think of is "What did I just watch?"

B'aar holds the Reach bottles in his hand. "This consumable contains the Reach's additive, which combines microscopic quantities of two chemicals. One is a dopamine polymerase, the other an adrenaline inhibitor. Taken over generations, they will slowly vindict the entire population to Reach and make the people of Earth placid, literally incapable of revolt."

"That matches up exactly with Flash and Atom's analyses of the additive sample acquired from Lexcorp," Nightwing informs.

"Ah, I see. Still I am…tested."

"Look, we're sorry but—"

"No, it is wise. As they say on your world, all cards must be off the table."

"That's not how we say that expression," Mia calmly tells B'aar.

"On the table. Uh—I mean—never mind. Ignore me," Jaime stutters.

"On the table. Yes. That does make more sense. So here is my final card on the table. My scarab informs me that the additive also contains a mitochondrial marker which works as a meta-gene tracer, allowing the Reach to identify and isolate potential superpowered individuals."

"Making it easier to harvest and weaponized the meta-gene. Our analysis didn't reveal that. Thank you," Nightwing states.

"Can't we go public with this?" Jaime wonders.

"I'll pass it on to Captain Atom, but the League's credibility is at a record low right now. We'll probably have to bide our time. Good work, everyone. Meeting adjourned."

Everyone begins to leave. Nightwing walks to B'aar.

"Do you need a place to stay on Earth?"

B'aar shape shifts into a human. "I will find a place near Taos and attempt to blend in."


La'gaan catches up with M'gann, "So, Angelfish, could we go somewhere private to talk?"

M'gann glances at Connor. He shrugs and leaves with Nightwing.

"Um…sure, La'gaan. We can talk at my Uncle J'onn's apartment in Chicago," and they leave.


Bart surprises Jaime. "Hermano, the night is young."

"The night is over, ese. And all I want to do is head home and catch some Zs. How about we meet up first thing in the morning? You know, like, noonish?"

"Sounds crash. See you then," and Bart leaves.


The only ones left are the Ramires siblings, Jaime and B'aar.

"Blue, do you want us to take you home?" Mia offers.

He shakes his head. "I'm good. Thanks."

"Anytime."

The siblings leave. Once they're out of earshot, Mia still whispers.

"I don't trust him."

"Good. I thought I was the only one," Miguel adds.

"Everything about this is unsettling. How could B'aar's scarab discover the marker if Dad couldn't? It doesn't seem right," Tulio informs.

Mia nods. "So, it's settled. You two take shifts watching B'aar and I'll watch over our hyperactive nephew and his boyfriend."

"You know that they're not dating, right?" Miguel says.

She shrugs. "I ship them. Will you guys be okay being away from Tony and Abby?"

"We told them that we're travelling to the Amazon to take pictures and document the wildlife," Tulio states.

"And they believe you?" Mia raises a brow.

"Of course not but they have somewhat of an idea that there are some days that we have to leave. I still don't feel confident telling Tony about what we do."

"I think they already know," she remains silent.

Chicago

April 9, 06:20 CDT

"Recognized: Miss Martian, B06. Lagoon Boy, B21."

The couple arrives in Chicago as they walk through the junkyard.

"I can't wait any longer. I have too many questions," La'gaan stops to look at his girlfriend. "Why have you been avoiding me? Why haven't you returned my calls? What's going on between you and Connor?"

"Nothing. I mean, not what you're thinking," she cups his cheek.

"Then what? Angelfish, please."

"This is awkward." Deathstroke announces his presence. "We hate to interrupt such poignant interspecies romance, but we have pressing business with the Martian."

La'gaan growls. Deathstroke uses his sword to reflect light from the rising sun and blinds the couple. Being momentarily blinded, he takes the opportunity to take down La'gaan swiftly. M'gann flies into the air. She deflects an arrow.

"Artemis? That's you, right?"

"It's me, M'gann, and I'm here to kidnap you."

"What?!"

Artemis continues firing arrows at M'gann to keep up with appearances.

"I need your help to save Kaldur but Deathstroke can't suspect I'm on your side neither can La'gaan. I need you to make this abduction good." M'gann begins tossing junker cars at Artemis with her telekinesis. She limbos to avoid getting hit by one. "Well, you don't have to make it look that good."

Deathstroke goes after La'gaan. After dodging a few of his attacks, La'gaan contacts the others.

"Lagoon Boy to Team. We're under attack at the Chicago zeta tube. Requesting backup."

'Acknowledged. We're 3 minutes from the nearest tube, but we're on our way,' Nightwing responds.

'The Dragons and I are closer. A minute tops,' Mia states.

La'gaan aims a rusty door at Deathstroke. He kicks it back at La'gaan. The door hits him and he falls back into an old metal car.

"See, calling for help like that just pushes up the timetable. Now I can't savor the battle."

"You want something to savor?!" La'gaan increased his body mass and attacks Deathstroke.

M'gann and Artemis continue to battle. Deathstroke tosses a bomb in La'gaan's direction. It explodes and he gets flinged back by the blast wave.

"La'gaan!"

Artemis tackles M'gann. Deathstroke towers over the injured Atlantian.

"Now, that leg doesn't look good. You know, I hate to see any poor animal suffer. You aren't on the Light's hit list so how about a little anesthetic for the pain?" he punches him.

Right after he does that, the Ramires siblings appear. Each of them take out their weapons. Mia with her daggers. Miguel and Tulio with their swords.

"Let them go…"

"Before things get ugly."

"Well, isn't this a nice surprise? I finally get the opportunity to battle Labiwa and Altaw'am Alnumur."

Their hands grip the handles unconsciously at hearing their former names from the League of Shadows.

"That's not us, not anymore. Now back away from the Martian and Atlantian before I force you," Mia threatens.

Deathstroke stares right into her eyes and practically into her soul. A laugh escapes him.

"What's so funny?"

"You're on the Light's hit list." Mia freezes. "Amelia Rosa Fuentes Ramires or should I call you Mrs. O'Brian? You've grown into a beautiful woman. It's such a shame that your foster family couldn't live to see it."

Everything clicks. The Rogers' assassination, his voice, the recording, it's all him.

"It was you. You…you murdered them!"

"Yes, I did."

"Why? They did nothing wrong!"

"No witnesses."

At that comment Mia growls. She takes a step when he raises a hand.

"I wouldn't take another step."

"And why's that?"

"The man you married, Detective Evan Taylor O'Brian from Central City Police Department, seems quite the gentleman." Mia stiffens. Deathstroke threatens, "I've been thinking of paying him a visit. Maybe I should do it after this little shin ding."

"I know he didn't just threaten my husband," Mia shakes with rage.

"He did and that would make him Deathstroke."

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"Stand down."

"The one time I ask for help and you cower like a dog! If you're not going to do anything then I'll save Evan and Meg."

"No. You're going to stand down."

"And why should I?!"

"Because with M'gann, it's a mission but with Evan, it's pleasure. It will not be a swift death. The man will torture your husband and it won't be pretty. Are you willing to risk your husband's safety and sanity for someone who we can rescue in the future?" Mia goes silent. "Then stand down."

Her brothers are waiting for her signal to attack. She slowly shakes her head at them. Gritting their teeth, they lower their weapons.

"Good girl."

Deathstroke walks away and places the inhibitor collar around M'gann's neck. After being electrocuted by the collar, she faints. The Flyer shows up. Deathstroke carries M'gann's unconscious body over his shoulder and enters the Flyer with Artemis right behind him. When it leaves, the others soon arrive.

"Recognized: Superboy, B05. Nightwing, B01."

The boys exit the zeta tube. They find La'gaan unconscious with a broken leg and the Ramires siblings just standing there.

"What happened?" Nightwing asks.

"We got here in time…"

"But we couldn't do anything."

"And why the hell not? They took M'gann," Connor shouts.

"He threatened to kill Evan!" Mia rips off her cowl showing her eyes blazing with pain and anger. "Deathstroke knows who I am and he was the one who killed my foster family. What would've you done if you were in my position Connor? Huh?" she shouts.

Connor looks away.

Nightwing frowns. "You and your brothers need to go someplace safe. We'll watch over Evan and—"

"No," Miguel interrupts him, "this is a family matter. We'll deal with it."

After Nightwing and Connor take La'gaan to a hospital. Mia turns to her brothers.

"I'm sending you guys back to Taos."

"We'll watch Green Beetle."

Mia nods. She teleports them. "I hope that my ability is wrong. I don't know if we can handle another disaster."


Still in the armor, Jaime walks with B'aar.

"So, my cards on the table—scarab's controllable now, more or less and it seems to have no interest in the Reach. But what if that changes?"

"You fear it will take full command, transforming you into a weapon for the Reach."

"Got a prophecy hanging over my head saying just that, and worse. I'd do anything to try anything to make sure it doesn't come true."

They stop walking.

"I believe I may be of assistance. Training and meditation can help you control the scarab within."

"Is that how you did it?"

"In part…"

"Well?"

"I used my natural shape shifting abilities to reach inside my scarab," B'aar armors up. "And ensure it could never take control."

"Ah. Too bad you can't reach inside my scarab." B'aar looks away. "Wait a minute. You can? You can reach inside my scarab? Then you've got to do it, ese. Please," Jaime sounds hopeful.

"I am sorry, but I must not. I would not have the same control inside your bioform. The procedure would put your life in grave danger."

"What part of "try anything" did you not understand?"

B'aar sighs. He then lays his hands on Jaime's back and got into his scarab. The Twins made it in time to watch this happening. Miguel wanted to stop him but Tulio held him back.

"Don't."

"But Jaime—"

"Will be fine. Our mission is to observe B'aar and write up a report. We'll step in if we have to but for now we watch and wait."

Miguel growls not liking the idea but does what he's told anyway.


M'gann wakes up to find Manta and Artemis standing over her. She's siting on a chair by Kaldur's bedside.

"Welcome aboard, Martian. Let me make your situation perfectly clear. You are here to psychically repair the damage you have done to my son's mind. This inhibitor collar negates all your Martian abilities.

"In a moment, we will selectively reinstate your telepathic power only but before we do that, understand—Deathstroke is watching you at all times from beyond the range of your psychic power. If he perceives even a hint of trouble, he will press a button, which will activate a substantial explosive charge in your collar so don't lose you head," Manta looks at the camera. "Deathstroke, activate her telepathy."

One of the lights on the collar is turned off. Manta opens the door to leave.

"Now, save my son…or die," and he leaves.

"You heard the man. Get to it!" Artemis turns M'gann to face Kaldur.

"Aremis, what-what should I do?"

"Fix Kaldur. The 3 of us will figure out the rest later."

"I'm not worried about the rest but honestly, I don't know if I can fix Kaldur. Breaking a mind is easy. Restoring one may not even be possible and what if I make things worse? My mere presence in his mind could be perceived as another attack."

"Then take me with you. He won't perceive me as a threat. I can help."

"Maybe or maybe I lose you, too."

"M'gann, we don't have any choice."

"No, I suppose we don't. God I wish Mia was here to help."

"Does she know?"

"I think she does," Artemis sighs, "She's going to murder Wally and Nightwing. Let's get started."

M'gann's eyes turn green. Both she and Artemis enter Kaldur's mind.

When they arrive, Artemis is gasping for air. M'gann helps her.

"Artemis. Artemis! You're not underwater. This isn't real but if you allow the illusions to hurt you here, your mind could suffer real damage. Permanent damage."

She coughs. "Right. Right. It's all in my head. Well, Kaldur's head. Kaldur's very messed up head."

"This is how he perceives his psyche—Atlantis in ruins. I don't even know where to start."

An attack comes out of nowhere. They turn to see someone who's long dead, Tula.

"Tula!" Artemis shouts.

Tula fires ice shards at them.


L'gann grunts. "Neptune's beard! Let go of me!" He grunts again. "I've got to save M'gann!"

Connor and Nightwing are having some trouble keeping La'gaan in bed.

"La'gaan calm down. There's nothing you can do for her in your condition," Nightwing states.

"Then what about him?" he looks to Connor with disdain. "Why isn't he rescuing her? I know you dumped her, but do you really hate her that much? Or her?" He gestures to Mia who's standing by the window and staring out into space.

"You have no idea what I feel for her!"

"You're right, because I would never abandon her to Kaldur and his flunkies, because that's who took her—Aqua-traitor's personal ninja pal, Tigress! And you," Mia turns her head in his direction. "You and your brothers barely lifted a finger. The three of you allowed them to take her away!"

"I didn't have a choice."

"Yes, you did."

"No. I didn't," her voice becomes hard and cold. "Believe me, I wanted to kick their asses and get M'gann out of there."

"Then why didn't you?!" La'gaan's pushing his luck with Mia.

She walks over and stands by the foot of the bed. Her eyes turn a darker shade of brown and become hard as rock. La'gaan tries not to swallow the lump forming in his throat.

"Tigress' partner, the guy who broke your leg, admitted to killing my foster family six years ago and threatened to kill my husband. I will not risk my husband's life. M'gann can take care of herself and she'll do what she can until we rescue her. This man kidnapped my sister-figure and threatened my husband, he will pay dearly for that. Trust me in what I'm about to tell you. Anyone who messes with my family won't live to see another day."

A small portion of Labiwa's essence influences Mia but she doesn't care. No one messes with the Ramires family and gets away with it.

"I love this new you."

"Not in the mood."

"Enough!" all eyes turn to Nightwing, "I'm not supposed to tell you…to tell anyone…but Aqualad is not a traitor."

"What are you talking about? He killed Artemis!"

"No, he didn't," Nightwing sits on the chair next to La'gaan's bed. "Aqualad has been on a deep cover mission for months, infiltrating Black Manta's troops, the Light and the Reach. We faked Artemis' death. She's alive. In fact, Artemis is Tigress. If she kidnapped Miss Martian there has to be a good reason."

"Why am I only hearing this now? I mourned Artemis. Neptune's beard, I tried to tear Kaldur limb from limb. You should have told me!"

"No. Nightwing's our leader. We put our trust in him. I'm sure he didn't keep this from us—from all of us—without having his reasons." Connor looks to Mia, "You're not surprised."

Definitely is not a question.

"I've known since the day you rescued us from the Reach. The conversation between Nightwing and I wasn't for the faint of heart."

Nightwing stands up. "Look, we will figure this out. Together. In the meantime, get some rest."

The trio leave the room. Now they're in the middle of the hallway.

"Thanks for backing me up in there."

"You don't leave a guy a lot of options. You have no idea what your secrets have done to us."

"What does that—"

"M'gann believed Kaldur had killed Artemis. So when she found him on the Reach ship, she fried his brain."

"I was there when she did it," Mia confirms.

Nightwing's shocked to hear about it.

"That's got to be why Artemis grabbed her—to try and save Kaldur's broken mind but M'gann doesn't know how to do that so Manta may just kill her and kill Tigress if she blows her cover trying to save her and we'll have lost all 3 of them because you thought it was a bad idea to share," Connor leaves after giving his piece.

Only Mia and Nightwing remain in the hallway. She can't even look at him.

"Mia—"

"I warned you. Did our conversation went in one ear and out the other?"

"It was necessary."

"No, it wasn't," Mia scoffs. "I remember a 13-year-old boy saying he didn't want to be like Batman having the need to keep secrets and sacrifice everything and everyone for the sake of completing a mission." Mia turns her head and looks over his body. "I thought Batman left for Rimbor, guess I was wrong."

She leaves him all alone in the hallway.


The ice shards are coming at them.

"Not real. Not real. Not real," Artemis repeats. They pass right through her but inflicts pain onto M'gann. Artemis grabs and pulls her away to safety. They go to find cover. "M'gann, snap out of it! You know none of this is real."

"All my fault. All my fault," she repeats.

Tula comes back for more. Artemis releases M'gann and swims towards the Atlantian.

"Tula, stop. We're here, both of us, to help Kaldur." She fires at her. Once again, the attack passes harmlessly through Artemis and hurts M'gann again. "Ugh. What am I doing? You're not real, either." She swims away trying to find Kaldur. In an open dome structure, Artemis spots Kaldur sitting on a stone bench. "Kaldur."

He turns around but his face is gone yet he still speaks.

"Keh eh-GO, keh eh-Go…what is left of Kaldur'ahm? Udam-OS en keh-Ro the-Les so."

"I knew I should have paid more attention in my freshman Atlantian class. Kaldur, listen. It's Artemis," she swims to face him. "M'gann and I are here to make you better."

"LIHS-soh-meh, Artemis. LIHS-soh-meh!" A swirling vortex appears behind him. "Keh eh-GO. I am alone. There is no one here." Everything begins to crumble around them. "Nothing…ruins," his body's caught in the vortex's gravity and slowly gets closer to it.

"No!" she grabs his hand. "No. You're not alone! We're here! We care about you and want to help! And we can do it! Think of everyone that cares about you. Think of…" "Maybe it'll work again." "Think of Mia! She wants to make sure that you get the help you need." His head cocks in her direction as if he recognizes the name. "It worked! Sort of." Artemis grunts, "What is the word? Symbosi. Together. Help us save you. Symbosi!"

M'gann continues to take the beating she thinks she deserves.

"Do it. Finish it. That's what I deserve."

"No!" Artemis comes back in time with Kaldur. She passes through Tula and the female Atlantian disappears. Kaldur's face returns to normal. "You want to blame yourself? Fine, but only if you're willing to do something about it and if Mia was here, she'd agree with me."

Artemis takes M'gann's hand and rests it on top of Kaldur's. The Martian holds onto his hand.

"Kaldur, I am sorry. Please, let me help you."

"Help? No. Ruins. All ruins."

"But it doesn't have to be ruins. We can fix things."

Artemis lays her hand on top of theirs. "Symbosi. Together."

M'gann and Kaldur begin rebuilding.


Artemis is shocked out of the link when Manta rests his hand on her shoulder. She looks at him.

"Tigress. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing. I was…lost in thought. It feels like I've been standing here for hours."

"You…have. 6 hours. I came to check on your progress."

"We've only just begun. This…will take days. Maybe weeks," M'gann informs.

"You better not be stalling, Martian."

"Father. Father…"

Manta sits on the bed. "My son. I'm here. Kaldur'ahm."

Kaldur doesn't respond.

"He's not back yet, not really."

"No, but I see you are making progress. Keep it up, and you'll live. Tigress, a word."

They leave the room. When the door closes, he looks to her with surprise in his voice.

"The witch is being more cooperative than I imagined."

"Meaning you're having second thoughts about killing her?" "Please."

"She's safe, until she finishes repairing my son then, she dies."

"Perfect." "Perfect."


Miguel and Tulio have been keeping watch over B'aar and Jaime all night.

"I hate waiting," Miguel complains.

"I told you. There's nothing we can do without blowing our cover. We—"

"Shit," Miguel cuts him off.

"What?"

"Bart's coming back."

He points at the streak coming towards the two Beetles.

"Shit," Tulio echoes.

Bart comes back to STAR Labs in Taos.

"Dude, I stopped by your house. Your mom said you never went—" he witnesses B'aar tampering with Jaime's scarab. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Greenie," he pushes the Martian away, "You're totally up in my buddy Blue's grill."

"We need to stop showing him 80s movies," they think the same thought.

"Now back off, or—"

"Or nothing. He did it! He fixed me!"

The Twins are skeptical but still remain in their spot.

"Great! Wh-what does that mean?"

"The scarab, it's…silent. I'm in control now, 100%. Don't you get it, ese? The Reach can't touch me. I'm free! Permanently free!"

"Crash," Bart softly says.

Miguel and Tulio have grim expressions on their faces.

"This sounds too good to be true."

"For once, you're right."

"Thanks, I—" he looks to his brother, "What the hell do you mean "for once"? I'm always right." Tulio has a deadpan expression on his face. Miguel pouts. "Well…every now and then."

"Just suck it up and go tell Mia."

He leaves. Tulio remains behind to continue surveillance on the Martian. "Be careful sobrino. Keep one eye on the fish and the other on the cat."