"Well?" Anissa asked as her mother and Gambi ran tests on her.

"I don't know how it's possible, but it looks like your metagene is back." Lynn said.

"Wait, Anissa was a meta?" John asked her.

"In the old reality yes. She was the only meta in the family who didn't have electrical powers." Lynn said.

"My powers are shockwave based like you saw. I still don't know what caused them to disappear, but I'm glad they're back. What about Grace?" Anissa asked, referring to the unconscious love of her life, who was currently restrained on a gurney.

"Her vital signs appear to be stabilizing, but we won't know much else until she wakes up." Lynn said.

"On the plus side, based on the scans I've run on her, unlike Khalil, there is no technology implanted in Grace of any kind. Which means that however they mind controlled her, it's a different way than they went with Khalil. Which means that whatever method we use to snap her out of it will be different from what we'll have to use with Khalil.

"I say we just restore her memories. It should solve both problems." Jen said.

"Unless of course the ASA put some sort of command in her subconscious that would reactivate her Wylde programming. Then we'd give them a huge advantage, since I'm willing to bet that even though they've been shut down by the government, that won't stop them." Lyla said.

"Perhaps I can help with that." A new voice said as they all jumped and turned to see Mar Novu standing there.

"Who the hell are you?" Anissa asked.

"You son of a bitch." Jefferson said, but John stopped him.

"Trust me, the feeling is mutual, but there isn't a single weapon or power in this place that can hurt him." John said.

"And you shouldn't have to since he's an ally." Jen said.

"Wait Jen, you know this guy?" Anissa asked.

"I met him once while I was in my safe space between universes." Jen said and Novu nodded in agreement.

"What do you want?" John asked.

"To give you answers." Novu said.

"That's a first and what could you give us answers about?" John asked.

"I am the one who took Ms. Pierce's powers away." Novu said.

"What, why would you do that?" Anissa demanded.

"Your actions before the Anti Monitor's release showed me that you had become too reckless with your powers. Your time as the vigilante Blackbird as you called yourself made you arrogant and therefore, a risk. One that could not be allowed to exist in the fights that are coming. So I took your powers as a test to see if you could rediscover the hero you once were before you lost your way and your actions here today have proved you have. You've remembered who you truly are Anissa Pierce. A hero, not a criminal vigilante. That is why I've given you your powers back. Along with an additional reward." Novu said as he turned to Grace and waved his hand.

"What did you do to her?" Anissa demanded.

"Relax Anissa Pierce. I simply did what you wanted. I have restored Ms. Choi's memories while also purging her ASA programming, since she will be needed in the coming war, just like the rest of you will be." Novu said.

"So that means that it's not over is it?" Lyla asked.

"No it is not. That is why I tested Ms. Pierce. I needed to see if she could still be the hero she once was." Novu said.

"What are you talking about?" Jefferson demanded.

"The crisis isn't over. We just have more time to prepare." Lyla said.

"And you Jefferson Pierce will play a large part in preventing history from repeating itself." Novu said.

"Meaning?" Jefferson asked.

"There were once seven paragons needed to save the universe. Now that number has gone up to nine and you are now one of them Jefferson." Novu said, surprising them all.

"What?" Jefferson asked.

"You are the paragon of trust." Novu said, surprising them all.

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" John asked.

"I did not know. The remaining paragons will be made known in time. Now, I believe you have matters of your own to attend to." Novu said as he vanished.

"I don't like that guy." Anissa said.

"Join the club. But anyways, he is right, we need to get back to focusing on the ASA, since they're bound to be ready and I'd say we lost our advantage since they now know that Black Lightning is back." Jefferson said.

"Then maybe we should put our captive to good use." Jen suggested.

"I like the sound of that." Gambi agreed as they turned to the room that they were currently holding Major Grey in, since she was the one ASA agent that hadn't been able to escape.