Episode 24: Preparation
Takes place 7-22 December 2010.
Short version
Paul is lured into a trap by Nylor Truggs and robbed of his ring; he then connects to the Ophidian and calls his ring back, but inadvertently summons some of the construct-rings from Larfleeze's cave in the process.
Longer version
Wanting to learn more about arcane weaponry to get options for fighting Nabu, Paul hires Catwoman to help him find the Ace of Winchesters, a gun that can destroy demons with angelic fire. She does, and he succeeds in purchasing it from a collector, in exchange for the Lazarus Pit he stole from Ra's al Ghul (now empty and inert). John Constantine helps him test the gun by summoning a number of demons and shooting them, with excellent results. Paul and Zatanna also retrieve the Star Sapphire from where the Ophidian hid it, in the hope that she could safely use it to power her spells and thus greatly extend her endurance.
Unfortunately, the collector is killed shortly afterward, and the Pit is stolen. Paul accompanies a police officer in searching for it, and they locate a warehouse containing the Brain, a number of Venom Buster enhanciles led by Bane, and a captive whom Paul recognises as Psimon's legal aide, Nylor Truggs.
The situation turns out to be a trap. The "Brain" is really a telepathic weapon, and Truggs is the mastermind. Paul is disabled, and Truggs takes his ring, after giving a monologue about having come from the future to improve the world. He expresses general approval of Paul's activities, however, and tells Bane to give him a chance to bargain for his life, before leaving. Bane proves difficult to bribe, but Paul succeeds by offering him the name and contact details of his father. Bane knocks him unconscious but lets him go.
Back at the Mountain, Paul informs the Justice League of the situation, and Lantern Gardner is dispatched to stop Truggs, since he alone can resist assimilation. While he does that, Paul makes contact with the Ophidian, who is outraged by the theft. Paul brings his lantern outside, and together they focus his avarice to call his ring back — with Truggs' severed finger still inside.
Paul then recharges the ring and sees an unexpected vision: Larfleeze's hoard of rings has reacted to his call, with many of them flying out into space. Larfleeze himself is infuriated, and commands his army of Construct-Lanterns to find the thief.
In the Renegade timeline, the Renegade meets with the Genomorphs, whom he has given some assistance in becoming self-sufficient, and makes it clear that he will eventually want repayment. They also help to give Match additional telepathic education.
An omake shows Zatanna asking John about what Paul said to her, specifically about John owning the severed wings of Archangel Gabriel.
Equivalent canon episode: "Performance". "Preparation" likely refers to Paul's preparations to fight Nabu.
- Call-Back: The Star Sapphire is retrieved from the toilet on the moon.
- Continuity Nod: Mister Huang, the guy who was forcibly injected with Venom in Taiwan, is brought up.
- Decoy Damsel: Truggs appears to be a prisoner of the Brain. In reality, he set everything up so he could steal the orange ring.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Ambrose Bierce is mentioned, as he's the one who helped Catwoman confirm that the Ace of Winchesters is the real deal. He doesn't make an actual appearance until Resolution.
- Fingore: With the Ophidian's help, Paul was able to call his ring so strongly that it ripped Truggs' finger off his hand.
- Gone Horribly Right: OL uses his avarice to call his ring back to him from Truggs. It works, but it also causes many of Larfleeze's extra rings to fly away as well, resulting in Larfleeze ordering his Construct-Lanterns to retrieve them.
- Mythology Gag: When Red Arrow storms out of the Cave before Paul could scan him, Paul had this to say:"Alright! But don't come crying to me if you get your arm cut off!"
- Omake: This episode has one showing John and Zatanna having a conversation after OL informs her of John chainsawing Gabriel's wings.
- Real Joke Name: The GLs think Starro the Conqueror is a dumb name.
- Stripperiffic: Star Sapphire's costume is like this, which prompts Zatanna to say she isn't wearing it if/when she gets the power of the Star Sapphire.
- Villain Respect: Truggs actually approves of what Paul has been doing; he just thinks he can do better.
- Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?: Bane asks why Truggs isn't killing OL immediately.
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Word of God: Bane and Paul didn't know the former's father was King Snake
, a member of Kobra. He was trying to convince his son to join. - You Owe Me: The Renegade expects the Genomorphs to pay him back for his assistance.
