Welcome back to The Injustice Wars! Last time, Darkblood reveals the reason he wanted to capture Belial Aether, albeit cryptically. Meanwhile, the joint forces of the Republic and Legion started tracking down where Belial Aether was taken, finding an oil slick left behind by Black Manta to point out their direction. As the scene ended, Starfire arrived, and began following them, preparing to figure out what's going on here. So, how will things end up? Read on to discover...

(Our scene opens back with Belial Aether, where Enchantress is finishing up placing down symbols in what looks like a rune circle)

Enchantress: There we go. Now everything is ready.

(At this point, Darkblood re-enters the scene, notably missing Killer Frost and Raven)

Enchantress: Perfect timing, love.

Darkblood: I was just about to ask how things are going.

Enchantress: We're all set up here, ready to begin the ritual at your instruction.

Darkblood: We'll need to wait until Raven... recovers... before we can begin.

Enchantress: So, looks like all three of you had a fun time.

Darkblood: That's one way to put it. Now then, we need to be absolutely free of disturbances for this to work. Speak to Manta, make sure we're not disturbed.

Enchantress: Gladly.

(As Enchantress leaves the room, we transition back outside where the alliance of the Legion and Republic arrive at the border of the river Black Manta left his trail down)

Blaze: Looks like this is where the river transitions underground.

Vandal Savage: As far as I know, there's no other entrance to this place. We'll need to find a way to blast through here.

Red Hood: (Pulls out a clip of ammunition) There's C4 in my custom bullets. That might be a good starting point.

Vandal Savage: We'd need every ounce of C4 you've ever used to make a dent in these boulders.

Blaze: Good thought though, Jason.

Vixen: There's only a few people I know who could break through this, and most are dead.

Blaze: Well, we're going to have to find a way in.

?: Perhaps I could be of some assistance.

(At this point, the group turns around and sees Starfire descending)

Red Hood: Starfire?

Blaze: Starfire? As in Koriand'r of Tamaran?

Starfire: I am flattered to be recognized.

Blaze: Those who knew you had nothing but good to say. But... where did you come from?

Starfire: After being released from the Phantom Zone, I needed time to think. Since my life had kind of been upended. Especially after what happened to Dick Grayson.

Blaze: I can understand that. You two were pretty close. (Aside) About as close as I was with Drago...

Starfire: What was that?

Blaze: Nothing.

Starfire: On Tamaran, we do not hide our emotions. (Remembering why she's here) Which gets me back on task. What are all of you doing here? (Powers up a Starbolt) With Vandal Savage particularly.

Blaze: Chances are Bruce and the others let you know a little bit about what happened after the Regime fell. But apparently in that time, Vandal Savage has been gathering a force to protect the world after the Justice League fell.

Vandal Savage: Protection by any means necessary.

Starfire: Sounds a little too much like the Regime for my tastes.

Vandal Savage: Rest assured, my dear, we only harm the guilty.

Starfire: Such as?

Vandal Savage: Damian Wayne.

Starfire: He's still alive?

Blaze: He not only survived, he's still claiming the title of Nightwing.

Starfire: (Holds her Starbolt hand close to her face) That brat does not deserve my beloved's title.

Vandal Savage: You may hold this close to heart, Starfire. He's high on our target list.

Starfire: You swear it?

Vandal Savage: I swear it on the certainty that I'll see tomorrow.

Blaze: I'm guessing that means he swears on his life.

Starfire: (Depowers her Starbolt) Very well then, I will help this new faction.

Aero: I hate to be pedantic, but there's two factions here. V, Hawkgirl, and I are with the Republic. And the rest are the Legion.

Starfire: My vow remains the same either way.

Blaze: Sounds like you showed up just in time, Starfire. One of our allies is trapped in the cavern behind this rubble.

Starfire: And you can confirm this cavern exists?

Vandal Savage: With decades of living in these mountains, yes.

Blaze: Either way, can you get us in?

Starfire: (Powers up two Starbolts) Gladly. Stand back.

(But as Starfire powers up her Starbolts, we transition to inside the cavern, somewhere near the Nameless City, where Black Manta, Multiplex, and Metallo are working on the submarine as Darkblood walks into the room)

Darkblood: What are you supposed to be doing?

Black Manta: Looks like the sub's fuel tank got hit while we were making our way back here.

Darkblood: WHAT?!

Black Manta: Hey don't give me that. I literally just noticed the leaking fuel a few minutes ago. I've been working on repairs ever since.

Darkblood: YOU FOOL! ONE OF YOUR BUFFOONS HAS GIVEN OUR ENEMIES A DIRECT ROUTE TO US!

(And just as Darkblood finishes up screaming at Black Manta, the wall behind them is blown open, revealing the joint Republic and Legion taskforce, now with Starfire included)

Black Manta: You started this you idiot. Now you finish it. DESTROY THEM!

Multiplex and Metallo: Yes, Lord Darkblood.

Black Manta: On it.

(With that, Darkblood retreats back to perform his ritual on Belial Aether, while the three villains run at their targets)

Blaze: Vandal Savage, Aero, Starfire, you're with me. (To Hawkgirl) Shayera, think you can handle these three?

Hawkgirl: (Brandishing her mace) Gladly.

Blaze: Then let's get going!

(And with that, the two groups split up, as our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good spot to end for now. So, the rescue is on now, if it wasn't before. And Starfire has joined the team, but which faction will she stick with? I'll leave that for next time to decide. So, will the team rescue Belial Aether before anything can befall him? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!