WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for "Terminus," Episode 23 of Young Justice: Outsiders, streaming now on DC Universe.
As the final episodes of Young Justice: Outsiders tick down, the third season of the animated series has ramped up the intrigue by revealing the key to unlocking the Anti-Life Equation lies within the newest DC hero, Halo. With the spirit of a Mother Box resting inside her, Halo has attracted the interest of Gretchen Goode (aka Granny Goodness), who wants to obtain her for Darkseid.
Because of Helga Jace's betrayal, Halo is now Granny's prisoner and test subject as the villain attempts a trial run of her Anti-Life Equation theory before handing her over. As Granny previously explained, the Anti-Life Equation is life minus a person's free will. Therefore, it should theoretically turn a person into a mindless slave. But could the heroes of the Justice League and The Team, the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe, fall victim to the Anti-Life Equation's powers? The latest episode of Young Justice, titled "Terminus," gives us a definitive answer.
Episode 23 begins with the Justice League's Space Team of Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lanterns Guy Gardner, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, Elongated Man, Captain Atom, Martian Manhunter and Icon charging toward the Orphanage. Just as things look to be in their favor, however, Halo shouts a command that engulfs the heroes in a purple energy wave, leaving them unconscious and under Granny's control.
They appear later on when Outsiders Geo-Force, Terra and Forager confront Granny and Halo. Before they can launch an attack, Martian Manhunter breaks the heroes' psychic link with Miss Martian, allowing Superman to knock them out. We then learn Granny plans to use the Anti-Life Equation to control Earth's metahuman population, as regular humans can't survive the process.
The original Young Justice team is able to get the drop on Granny when Miss Martian lets loose a psychic attack on friends and enemies alike. But once again, Halo is used to render them slaves and usher in the age of Darkseid and the Anti-Life Equation.
Things may seem bleak now, but there is one wildcard to factor. Vandal Savage visited The Hub to let The Team and Outsiders know the exact coordinates to locate their missing teammate. Previous episodes have cataloged the long history between Vandal Savage and Darkseid, with the assumption they'd work together until they were the only two forces of nature left in the galaxy. With all opposition vanquished, they've agreed to then battle one-on-one to see who will be the ultimate victor.
The only reason Vandal would betray Darkseid is he sees an opportunity to tip the balance of power in his favor, by using the heroes as pawns to defeat Darkseid for him. Beast Boy, Cyborg, who has the power of a Father Box inside him, and the remaining Outsiders are still in play as well, and could offer some reinforcements if they decide to team up with Batman and his secret "Batman Incorporated" unit.
But for now, Darkseid has both the Anti-Life Equation and an army of DC heroes to unleash against anyone who tries to cross him. Right now the odds of him accomplishing his plans are pretty high.
New episodes of Young Justice: Outsiders premiere Tuesdays throughout the summer on DC Universe.