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With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Reader mode
Mr Zoat said:
Okay, that's… Most of it. He no longer has any desire to not be the freest god that he can be, pushing barriers and helping other do the same. I've radically altered his character, and he's… He's looking a little better. He's awkwardly rising to all fours, and-
Freedom Is Absolute
-my changes are gone and he's glaring at me from the floor.
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It amuses me greatly that LePaul actually thought his mind control could trump the very concept of Freedom.
 
Chojin Patriarch said:
My money is still on Doctor Impossible. He's actively encountered OL, and had his schemes disrupted. I could see him targetting Earth in revenge because 'Fuck the Orange Man.'


I mean, it's the obvious option, but that is Scot's guess. I'm sure some of the big guy's followers have been doing research into Anti-Life on their Master's orders. He can't do it all Himself, after all.
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Desaad also knows quite a bit about the ALE. But...here's an interesting thing.

Back when this whole thing with the Alliance of the Just was starting out with Crimson Avenger going around, one of the missing Alliance members was Anita Fite.

As was noted by a few at the time, one of Empress' canon powers is limited mind control.

Because she has part of the Anti-Life Equation riding around inside her.

And I'm pretty sure we have only seen the missing persons report, not a body.
 
Chojin Patriarch said:
Ah, looks like OL managed to force him to reboot his Godly self and purge the infection. Like a divine version of Wholeness Rightly Assumed. :D
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Strictly speaking, Wholeness Rightly Assumed was already based on Titanic magic from the same setting as Renegade has been drawing New God inspiration from.
 
BR549 said:
Desaad also knows quite a bit about the ALE. But...here's an interesting thing.

Back when this whole thing with the Alliance of the Just was starting out with Crimson Avenger going around, one of the missing Alliance members was Anita Fite.

As was noted by a few at the time, one of Empress' canon powers is limited mind control.

Because she has part of the Anti-Life Equation riding around inside her.

And I'm pretty sure we have only seen the missing persons report, not a body.
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My best guesses are she was kidnapped by someone who realized what she had, she realized something was wrong and decided to try something similar to what her counterpart in Tangseid's universe did, or she's already dead.
 
Neruz said:
If it's the latter, then everyone is in incredibly deep shit; because pretty much the only thing that ever really stopped Darkseid from conquering the everything was his own inability to not be an excessively large ham at every opportunity.
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Darkseid is as tied to his own nature as any New God, and what do you think Jack Kirby's opinion on tyrants and fascist leaders was?

Someguy Somewhere said:
Does make me wonder why he showed up to see the Doctor and OL. The motherbox pick his location or did he manage to request getting dropped off here before the thing tried to overtake him? Or something sinister?
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I went back to check where they actually are, and they're in an "examination room" where Doctor Mist was examining Crimson Avenger's corpse. A Justice league facility, presumably.
 
Mr Zoat said:
Given that he grew up on Apokolips, I shouldn't be surprised that he doesn't really want to be a god
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Yeah, when your examples of something are utterly horrible people, it makes sense you'd want to avoid becoming that something.

Mr Zoat said:
What if I just… Add a little…
One Foot in Front of Anoth-.
Desire
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Oh boy, now I'm wondering if Desire was somehow behind this.

Mr Zoat said:
Freedom Is Absolute
-my changes are gone and he's glaring at me from the floor
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You're a bit too underwhelming to be able to control someone that managed to escape Darkseid.
 
Mr Zoat said:
They can work off what's already there; the weaknesses that already exist in your… Soul."
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Comma instead of semicolon.

Vaermina said:
It amuses me greatly that LePaul actually thought his mind control could trump the very concept of Freedom.
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Why do you think he thought that he could? He certainly didn't want to cause significant changes; you'll note how much care he took to avoid doing anything that would be contrary to Scott's nature. He was only doing what he thought he had to in order to save him from Anti-Life -- and it only worked because it agreed with the Anti-Life infection. That is to say, Anti-Life was telling Scott that Freedom wasn't good enough, which meant Scott's metaphysique found relief in having its own Freedom overridden by external control. But that also meant that the manipulation the Anti-Life was whispering wasn't effective anymore, weakening its grip on Scott, which let Doctor Mist drain it away.

Which, of course, gave Scott enough power to override the mind control.

Which, I think, is exactly the outcome OL wanted, overall. So I think you're stretching a bit to think OL thought that he actually could control Scott in the long term.
 
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AmericanNumbers said:
Wait, did Paragon just produce GODSPEECH on the fly and imbue with Desire and use it to Repel an Anti Life prision contruct from Darkseid?
Lol. And he catches up to renegade who had to use pony magic to reform his soul.
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He is the next Desire if Desire dies and he is a Greed Demigod so yeah... Remember his true form is a snake made out of greed.
 
AmericanNumbers said:
Wait, did Paragon just produce GODSPEECH on the fly and imbue with Desire and use it to Repel an Anti Life prision contruct from Darkseid?
Lol. And he catches up to renegade who had to use pony magic to reform his soul.
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No, the Godspeech was all from Scott Free and his Anti Life infection, the Desire injection merely short circuited things so a different result was broadcasted.

Yes, OL just did a DJ's vinyl scratch on Scott Free.
 
Well now, things got spicy.

Sure, Darkseid is there. But it also might be another Apokalyptian. Granny in disguise, Steppenwollf (okay probably not), or any other of Darkseid's minions.
 
Pete Tong (part 11)
  • Threadmarks
    • 31st December 2012
    13:55 GMT -5

    "You're saying that I've got something like that inside me?"

    Alan looks concerned, though not actually worried, as he watches the glowing ball of magic surrounding the mist taken from Mr. Free.

    "Not as much as that, but probably."

    "And that'll do… What?"

    Mr. Free looks up from where he's been using his multi-cube to repair his costume. This room wasn't really intended for the number of specialists we've brought into it, but we need to go somewhere and if those of us who've touched the stuff can be tracked in some way… It's best that we not look like we've moved.

    "It connects you to the Anti-Life. People who've been using the Anti-Life on Earth have been using single concepts. It twists the minds of anyone near it to agree with it, but it can be resisted." Alan nods. "That's not what this does. This is-. It's more like the broadcasters on Apokolips. You hear every part, and if there's something that chimes for you, that's what you get. Orange Lantern, Blue Lantern, Doctor Mist, you're all vulnerable. I…"

    He looks at Zauriel.

    "I don't know about you."

    Zauriel smiles. "My mind is not so small that I cannot doubt. There are avenues of attack which the Anti-Life could use."

    "If they exist, it'll use them."

    Batman nods. "How do we block it?"

    "The Alliance of the Just have it tied to their teleportation system. Stepping foot inside their new buildings will result in it being inflicted upon you. And you will also be teleported ehway. I had thought that blocking the teleportation acquisition system would be simple, but if what Scott Free says is true, they may have access to New God technology. Thet…" He shakes his head. "I cannot be certain."

    "Is the Anti-Life effect immediate?"

    Mr. Free shrugs. "I don't know. It was for me, but I got a dose right from the source. Orange Lantern had it for hours and didn't realise anything was wrong."

    Batman's eyes move in my direction.

    "I compared my behavioural baselines before and after. No change."

    A small nod, and his eyes move back to Mr. Free.

    "Can everyone affected be exposed to the Anti-Life at once?"

    "I don't know. On Apokolips, yes, but they've got a whole lot more equipment. And the Alliance's teleportation centers aren't broadcasters; those are very recognizable."

    "Are you certain that Darkseid is on Earth?"

    "No. I just-. That's what he can do. And I can't imagine him sharing that ability with someone else. They'd be a threat to him, his control. On the other hand… Yeah, there isn't much that's stopping him just turning up on Earth one day. He doesn't usually do things like that because it's not a good use of his time, and… We should be seeing a whole lot more than we're seeing now if he was actually here."

    "And Canis wouldn't be able to shut up about it."

    Batman nods again.

    "Whether it's Darkseid or not, we still have to prevent the spread of the Anti-Life. Zauriel, can you destroy the mist?"

    Zauriel opens his mouth and the background sounds of the room vanish for a moment. Then both Dr. Balewa's spell and the mist are both gone.

    Zauriel nods. "As I thought."

    "How did you manage thet?"

    "I reset that portion of reality to the 'default'. Since the mist-like substance had no soul of its own it could not resist. It is… Not something which I can teach you. And I do not think that my song would work as a defence in any other circumstance."

    Batman looks at Dr. Balewa. "It's gone completely?"

    "So far as I can determine, thet is so. But since I do not know the mechanism by which it spreads, I cannot say thet it was not recalled by its creator."

    Mr. Zatara, who had been listening quietly next to Angelica, steps forward.

    "I should check whether my particular abilities work against it."

    Alan nods. "Apparently, I'm infected too. Take your best shot."

    "Tsim fo eht Efil-Itna, traped!"

    Alan frowns, then shudders as the mist rises through his skin for a moment before being sucked back inside him!

    "Are you al-?"

    "Traped! Traped dna od ton nruter!"

    This time the mist only rises grudgingly, floating on the surface of his skin rather than leaving him. Mr. Zatara keeps up his effort for several seconds as the strain makes him grimace and sweat, before sagging and lowering his hands.

    The mist immediately re-enters Alan's body.

    "I am.. sorry, Alan. I cannot do it."

    Alan nods, staring at his own body for a moment. Yeah, Giovanni Zatara's ability makes him a remarkably capable and flexible magician despite his minimal formal training, but his peak power output isn't all that great. Not compared to his colleagues Dr. Balewa and Angelica. He might be able to improve that, but when exactly is he likely to be able to find time to do that sort of self-study?

    Dr. Balewa conjures a new white orb while Batman turns to me.

    "Can you destroy the teleporters without collateral damage?"

    "I don't want to say entirely without, but it should be simple enough. The sites have a standard design, and I don't need to physically enter the building to shoot at it." I shrug. "Just trigger the fire alarm first. Might be a problem with Alliance members afterward, particularly if they're Anti-Lifed. I could call Alpha Centurion first?"

    He considers it. "Doctor Mist. Could you use their system to remove it from people more efficiently?"

    "Perhaps? I…" He frowns. "No. I do not believe so. The magic aspect of the teleportation system is in the guidance rather than the transmission. It would be no easier for me to use it than it would be to use any other structure."

    "In that case we can have Flash or one of the Lanterns bring the victims to you." He focuses on me. "Preventing Father Bruno infecting anyone else takes top priority. We can smooth things over with the Alliance afterwards."

    "Understood. Just tell me when and where you want me."

    "Mister Miracle, is the core of the system in Washington or in Hub City?"

    "The teleportation network doesn't need a core. But New God technology needs a New God to be… 'Plugged into'.. it. And an Anti-Life control system wouldn't exactly be small. If Orange Lantern didn't see something he didn't recognize in Washington then it's probably not there."

    "Doctor Mist, Zauriel, Orange Lantern. Go to Hub City with Mister Miracle and try to locate the control system. Orange Lantern, be prepared to need to attack other locations at any time. I'll brief the rest of the League."
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Mr Zoat said:
    Alan nods, staring at his own body for a moment. Yeah, Giovanni Zatara's ability makes him a remarkably capable and flexible magician despite his minimal formal training, but his peak power output isn't all that great. Not compared to his colleagues Dr. Balewa and Angelica. He might be able to improve that, but when exactly is he likely to be able to find time to do that sort of self-study?
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    I thought Zatara's magic got stronger after he was possessed by Nabu?
     
    Mr Zoat said:
    31st December 2012
    13:55 GMT -5

    "You're saying that I've got something like that inside me?"

    Alan looks concerned, though not actually worried, as he watching the glowing ball of magic surrounding the mist taken from Mr. Free.
    Click to expand...
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    Not a pretty idea, is it? I mean, every person has darkness in their soul, things they refuse to acknowledge, which is probably what this stuff is latching on to. Hiding in the places within oneself that you would never look of your own accord... It's insidious. It's genius. And it's entirely monstrous...

    "Not as much as that, but probably."

    "And that'll do… What?"
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    On it's own? Probably nothing. But it gives someone else a hook into you, that they could tug on, and...

    Mr. Free looks up from where he's been using his multi-cube to repair his costume. This room wasn't really intended for the number of specialists we've brought into it, but we need to go somewhere and if those of us who've touched the stuff can be tracked in some way… It's best that we not look like we've moved.
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    True, the master of the stuff is probably able to monitor those touched by it. Probably not passively, but I bet they're watching OL very closely, given his track record.

    "It connects you to the Anti-Life. People who've been using the Anti-Life on Earth have been using single concepts. It twists the minds of anyone near it to agree with it, but it can be resisted." Alan nods. "That's not what this does. This is-. It's more like the broadcasters on Apokolips. You hear every part, and if there's something that chimes for you, that's what you get. Orange Lantern, Blue Lantern, Doctor Mist, you're all vulnerable. I…"
    Click to expand...
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    Oh, that does not make this scenario play out any better... At least it's only a partial sample.

    He looks at Zauriel.

    "I don't know about you."

    Zauriel smiles. "My mind is not so small that I cannot doubt. There are avenues of attack which the Anti-Life could use."
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    Yeah, that's how you ended up in your position, after all. The doubt, not the Anti-Life.

    "If they exist, it'll use them."

    Batman nods. "How do we block it?"
    Click to expand...
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    And stop the opponent from turning you against your allies... Because I have no doubt that if the unknown master of this stuff tugged on it, everyone infected would fall in line with their will.

    "The Alliance of the Just have it tied to their teleportation system. Stepping foot inside their new buildings will result in it being inflicted upon you. And you will also be teleported ehway. I had thought that blocking the teleportation acquisition system would be simple, but if what Scott Free says is true, they may have access to New God technology. Thet…" He shakes his head. "I cannot be certain."

    "Is the Anti-Life effect immediate?"
    Click to expand...
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    Yeah, New God technology has a lot more metaphysical horsepower than anything short of the Life Entity itself. I don't fancy that any Earthly defence could resist a concerted attack for long.

    Mr. Free shrugs. "I don't know. It was for me, but I got a dose right from the source. Orange Lantern had it for hours and didn't realise anything was wrong."

    Batman's eyes move in my direction
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    Oh, is that a amused 'would we even notice?' glance or a worried 'how strongly were they able to affect him?' glance, I wonder. :p

    "I compared my behavioural baselines before and after. No change."

    A small nod, and his eyes moves back to Mr. Free.
    Click to expand...
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    Of course, you saying that doesn't prove anything. If someone was controlling you, they could tell you to say that...

    "Can everyone affected be exposed to the Anti-Life at once?"

    "I don't know. On Apokolips, yes, but they've got a whole lot more equipment. And the Alliance's teleportation centers aren't broadcasters; those are very recognizable."
    Click to expand...
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    But, if they could target one person at a time and take control long enough for them to disrupt an attack...

    "Are you certain that Darkseid is on Earth?"

    "No. I just-. That's what he can do. And I can't imagine him sharing that ability with someone else. They'd be a threat to him, his control. On the other hand… Yeah, there isn't much that's stopping him just turning up on Earth one day. He doesn't usually do things like that because it's not a good use of his time, and… We should be seeing a whole lot more than we're seeing now if he was actually here."
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    Indeed, Darkseid is not one for subtlety, especially when coming in His capacity as an invading Tyrant. No, this may not be Him, but He's almost certainly holding the leash of the one who is...

    "And Canis wouldn't be able to shut up about it."

    Batman nods again.
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    Ha, even he knows Canis would be crowing about it from the rooftops. :D

    "Whether it's Darkseid or not, we still have to prevent the spread of the Anti-Life. Zauriel, can you destroy the mist?"

    Zauriel opens his mouth and the background sounds of the room vanish for a moment. The both Dr. Balewa's spell and the mist are both gone.
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    ...Well, that was anti-climactic. Though no doubt very conditional.

    Zauriel nods. "As I thought."

    "How did you manage thet?"

    "I reset that portion of reality to the 'default'. Since the mist-like substance had no soul of its own it could not resist. It is… Not something which I can teach you. And I do not think that my song would work as a defence in any other circumstance."
    Click to expand...
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    So if it's hooked into someone, their own soul will act as protection for the globs...

    Batman looks at Dr. Balewa. "It's gone completely?"

    "So far as I can determine, thet is so. But since I do not know the mechanism by which it spreads, I cannot say thet it was not recalled by its creator."
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    That would be a mind-fuck, wouldn't it? Letting them think they've dealt with it, only to discover it right back where it was... :confused:

    Mr. Zatara, who had been listening quietly next to Angelica, steps forward.

    "I should check whether my particular abilities work against it."
    Click to expand...
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    ...All signs point to 'No.' After all, you're only human. This stuff is forged by a god.

    Alan nods. "Apparently, I'm infect too. Take your best shot."

    "Tsim fo eht Efil-Itna, traped!"
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    Though it's certainly going to be a dramatic attempt.

    Alan frowns, then shudders as the mist rises through his skin for a moment before being sucked back inside him!

    "Are you al-?"
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    Ow. That would feel unpleasant as. Probably like having someone scrape their fingernails down the chalkboard of your soul...

    "Traped! Traped dna od ton nruter!"

    This time the mist only rises grudgingly, floating on the surface of his skin rather than leaving him. Mr. Zatara keeps up his effort for several second as the strain makes him grimace and sweat, before sagging and lowering his hands.
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    Not enough metaphorical horsepower. He's a Ferrari trying to outpull a tank.

    The mist immediately re-enters Alan's body.

    "I am.. sorry, Alan. I cannot do it."
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    Don't be ashamed of failing. At least you tried, and confirmed it's there.

    Alan nods, staring at his own body for a moment. Yeah, Giovanni Zatara's ability makes him a remarkably capable and flexible magician despite his minimal formal training, but his peak power output isn't all that great. Not compared to his colleagues Dr. Balewa and Angelica. He might be able to improve that, but when exactly is he likely to be able to find time to do that sort of self-study?

    Dr. Balewa conjures a new white orb while Batman turns to me.
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    Yeah, even with a tap to Order Magic, he's not got a lot of flow-through. He's more suited to precision work.

    "Can you destroy the teleporters without collateral damage?"

    "I don't want to say entirely without, but it should be simple enough. The sites have a standard design, and I don't need to physically enter the building to shoot at it." I shrug. "Just trigger the fire alarm first. Might be a problem with Alliance members afterward, particularly if they're Anti-Lifed. I could call Alpha Centurion first?"
    Click to expand...
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    ...And warn the bad guys you're coming. Yeah. That's a hard nope.

    He considers it. "Doctor Mist. Could you use their system to remove it from people more efficiently?"

    "Perhaps? I…" He frowns. "No. I do not believe so. The magic aspect of the teleportation system is in the guidance rather than the transmission. It would be no easier for me to use it than it would be to use any other structure."
    Click to expand...
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    Like injecting something into someone. You're not gonna be able to suck it back out once it's dispersed...

    "In that case we can have Flash or one of the Lanterns bring the victims to you." He focuses on me. "Preventing Father Bruno infecting anyone else takes top priority. We can smooth things over with the Alliance afterwards."

    "Understood. Just tell me when and where you want me."
    Click to expand...
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    Just be honest with them: A dark God's followers tried to manipulate their systems into setting up an army of blindly-loyal slaves...

    "Mister Miracle, is the core of the system in Washington or in Hub City?"

    "The teleportation network doesn't need a core. But New God technology needs a New God to be… 'Plugged into'.. it. And an Anti-Life control system wouldn't exactly be small. If Orange Lantern didn't see something he didn't recognize in Washington then it's probably not there."
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    A New God... Or something with similar traits. And as BR549 pointed out earlier, Anita Fite is still missing...

    "Doctor Mist, Zauriel, Orange Lantern. Go to Hub City with Mister Miracle and try to locate the control system. Orange Lantern, be prepared to need to attack other locations at any time. I'll brief the rest of the League."
    Click to expand...
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    And hope that nothing goes badly wrong in Hub City... :oops: No Jinx.

    So, now they have a plan of action. Let's hope things go well, and OL doesn't have to play Spooky for the League. He can always apologise to Alpha Centurion and Mister Edge later. But this has so many places where something could go badly wrong and we face another holiday-season disaster for the third year running (Starro-tech'd Justice League in 2010, the Angelic Assault in 2011, now this? I hate to imagine what next year's big event would be...)
    ...as he watching the glowing ball of magic...
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    ...as he watches the glowing ball of magic...
    The both Dr. Balewa's spell and the mist are both gone.
    Click to expand...
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    Then both Dr. Balewa's spell and the mist are both gone.
    Alan nods. "Apparently, I'm infect too. Take your best shot."
    Click to expand...
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    Alan nods. "Apparently, I'm infected too. Take your best shot."
    Mr. Zatara keeps up his effort for several second...
    Click to expand...
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    Mr. Zatara keeps up his effort for several seconds...
     
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    I am going to guess that we're going to find this to be the work of Desaad.

    One, he's very familiar with Anti-Life and its technology.

    Two, he's been on Earth working with Intergang before.

    Three, 'Alliance of the Just(ified)' really is a turn of phrase for a project that sounds like him...
     
    BR549 said:
    I am going to guess that we're going to find this to be the work of Desaad.

    One, he's very familiar with Anti-Life and its technology.

    Two, he's been on Earth working with Intergang before.

    Three, 'Alliance of the Just(ified)' really is a turn of phrase for a project that sounds like him...
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    'Lets build a teleportation network that secretly Anti-Lifes everyone who uses it' does sound like a Desaad plot, now that I think about it.
     
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