Welcome back to The Injustice Wars. Last time, the team of Blitz, Twirl, Catwoman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Donatello, and Cyborg made their way into the Batcave, and after fighting off the Ex Machina Twins and Black Manta, faced their objective of restoring Brother Eye to their side. But Darkblood's supercomputer had another trick up it's nonexistent sleeves, using the power of the Dark Aether flowing through it to create an evolution of itself using Cyborg known as Grid. And while Blitz was able to get Brother Eye back by forcing a reboot via a literal shock to the system, Grid managed to escape with the Ex Machina Twins and Black Manta, capturing Green Arrow and Black Canary in the process. So, how's everybody going to react to Brother Eye's reboot? Read on to discover...
(Our scene opens up in Legion HQ, where Blaze, Batman, and Belial Aether are awaiting a response from their team on what the heck is going on in the Batcave. Thankfully, soon enough, Batman gets a notice about Brother Eye having rebooted. But before the Dark Knight can say anything, the geo-sync comms fire up, indicating Catwoman has connected to everybody, as evidenced by a video call coming through to Legion HQ)
Blaze: Looks like everything went according to plan.
Blitz: Well, sort of. Good news: We did get Brother Eye back on our side.
Twirl: Bad news: Ollie and Dinah were captured after whatever Darkblood did to this system spawned a new form off of Cyborg.
Batman: Wait, what?
Cyborg: It's a long story, but keep an eye out for something that looks like a fully robotic version of me calling itself Grid.
Belial Aether: Grid. Good to know.
Blaze: That's one joint op finished. Now what's next?
Catwoman: We're giving the system a cursory going over to make sure The Empire hasn't stolen anything. But after that, if you ask me? We take the fight to Brainiac.
Belial Aether: Don't forget, we still don't have a way through that shield.
Batwoman: Then we need to start finding one. (To Brother Eye) Brother Eye, switch all broadcasts to the old Justice League frequency.
Brother Eye: Acknowledged.
(As Brother Eye switches the frequency, a window opens up bringing in a call from Kahndaq, allowing Wonder Woman into the call, who is apparently discussing something with Black Adam as they log on.)
Blaze: Hope we're not interrupting anything.
Wonder Woman: (Lying) No, not at all. I'm guessing since this old frequency is back up that Cyborg was successful?
Blitz: Cyborg was too busy fighting a robotic doppelganger. Getting Brother Eye back is all me, Wonder Witch.
Cyborg: Hate to say it, Diana, but she's right.
Wonder Woman: Wait, what's this about a robot doppelganger?
Cyborg: It's a really long story.
Batman: Regardless, we've got Brother Eye back on our side, now we need to start working on a way to get past Brainiac's security system.
Wonder Woman: We'll get started on that straightaway.
Belial Aether: Also, we need to be on the lookout for Green Arrow and Black Canary, Darkblood's forces managed to capture them.
Batman: We haven't got much time before Brainiac strikes again, so we need to get on this.
(As these factions set to work, the scene shifts back to The Nameless City where Darkblood is meditating on the situation, when he senses Doctor Fate entering)
Darkblood: This had better be good, Fate.
Doctor Fate: There are trappings of both good and ill, Master.
Darkblood: Just tell me what is going on.
Doctor Fate: Brother Eye is lost to us.
Darkblood: Then why do I sense the Aether within him still?
(At this point, Grid enters the scene, followed by the Ex Machina Twins and Black Manta with the captive Green Arrow and Black Canary.)
Grid: The original Brother Eye software is lost, My Lord. But the divine power you bestowed to him still exists, in me.
Darkblood: (Observing Grid) And who are you exactly?
Grid: I am Grid. I am the evolution of Brother Eye, created by filtering your blessing through the technology of Victor Stone.
Darkblood: So you're Brother Eye copying Cyborg's schematics?
Grid: That and much more. (Taking a knee) I place myself entirely at your service, Lord Darkblood.
Darkblood: Ordinarily, I'd have a lot of questions. But if Brother Eye is indeed gone, we'll need some new computational power. Consider yourself inducted, Grid.
Grid: I will serve you to the fullest of my ability, Master.
Darkblood: Excellent. (Sees the captives) But I guess your mission has not been entirely for not.
Grid: No, it was not.
Darkblood: Perfect. We will be able to use these two. (To the Ex Machina Twins) Take them to the cells. (To Black Manta) You will stand guard.
(With no words exchanged, Black Manta and the Ex Machina Twins leave with Green Arrow and Black Canary, leaving Darkblood, Doctor Fate, and Grid alone)
Darkblood: Tell me, Grid. If you are basically an upgraded version of Brother Eye, do you have his memory banks?
Grid: Yes, Lord Darkblood.
Darkblood: Then you remember my last specific instruction to Brother Eye before he was lost.
Grid: Yes.
Darkblood: What was it?
Grid: Speak to no one of your suspicions of Black Manta unless ordered to.
Darkblood: Good. Now, consider this your orders. While Black Manta was with Brother Eye, did anything strange happen?
Grid: Manta placed a file logger onto the Batcomputer. It was noticed immediately, though no alarm was given so as not to arouse his suspicions.
Darkblood: As I suspected he would.
Doctor Fate: Are you proposing what I think you are, My Lord?
Darkblood: It is no proposition, Fate. It is a certainty. Black Manta has been working against us all along.
Grid: (Forming the replica of Cyborg's sonic cannon) Shall I destroy him for his treachery, my liege?
Darkblood: No. Not yet. I wish to toy with the mole for a while. Seal off his tunnels, so to speak. Only once he has nowhere left to go, will we burn him. Speak to no one but myself about this for now, you two.
Doctor Fate and Grid: Yes, Lord Darkblood.
Darkblood: (Looking out from his throne room towards Black Manta's sub in the background) So you thought you could play games me, Manta? (Chuckles evilly) Now you will learn, you've been playing with fire...
(And as Darkblood starts plotting the next step in his plan, our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to end for today. So, Darkblood now has confirmation that Black Manta is a mole. But what's he planning to do with this information? There won't be much of a wait for that one. Just tune in next time to at least get the basic idea. Same time... same channel!