Lizard League!
Divide and conquer.
We'll find the serum faster if we split up.
No, my son.
That's not a tactically sound strategy.
Remember our talk.
There could be hidden dangers here.
We need to stay together.
Strength in numbers.
- But, Mom… - Prince Lizard.
Do not disrespect me.
I let you do the explosion,
which was noisier than I would've liked.
I'll take it from here.
What is your command, my queen?
Move deeper into the lab.
Our intel was spotty, but the serum should be on this level.
The flames of this burning world will warm our cold blood.
Onward, until the Lizard League rules all!
The Guardians of the Globe!
Stand down and surrender.
This is your only warning.
This doesn't have to get any uglier than it already is.
If heavy hitters like you are being sent in,
there's no telling what's housed here.
Pity you won't get a chance to see it.
Are you sure about that?
Don't let them get away.
I got them.
Come on, Iguana.
You're better than this.
You're not some hired goon.
Don't waste your time, Samson.
That dame's a lost cause.
You guys still say "dame" in Atlantis?
- Darkwing not coming? - Ah!
Still healing after the Chronodile battle.
Little help?
Red Rush?
Busy in Russia.
And Martian Man's helping Dark Blood
on some important mission.
I'm sure we're fine.
But I called in the reservist just in case.
Really?
Don't let him hear you call him that.
She's mine.
You wish.
He has a problem with "reservist"?
Ah!
He refused to join the team,
but said he'd help out if needed.
Is that not the very definition of the word?
You've got a lot to learn about men.
No interest.
Ow!
War Woman! It's gonna…
Just in time.
New suit?
Plain white thing not flashy enough for you?
Yeah, the tailor said it wasn't iconic enough.
Apparently everyone's running around
with a big letter on their chest these days.
Is that what this is?
I only needed a diversion.
They're gonna bring the facility down on top of us.
And you weren't due for two more weeks.
I'm sorry, Dr. Brandyworth.
I don't mean to let you down.
I know how important this baby is.
No, you didn't do anything wrong, Polly.
I should have found another woman.
They're getting closer.
We have to get you to a hospital.
I'm not gonna make it, am I?
I can feel it.
Take care of my baby.
Promise me you will.
Polly, you're gonna be fine.
I'm… so sorry.
I'm so sorry I did this to you.
Erickson, there was an attack.
I'm getting Polly somewhere safe.
Bring my specimen back.
She's in labor.
We're headed for the valley hospital.
That child is too valuable to leave her birth
in the hands of civilian doctors.
We have a hospital.
Turn your car around.
No, the facility is compromised.
We can't risk it. The stress she's under…
Bring her back. Now!
You'll get your weapon,
and in the end, you'll thank me for it.
Be careful.
This woman is in great danger.
Her baby's a superhuman.
We can see that.
We can take it from here, Mister…
Dr. Brandyworth.
But the child about to be born
is unique in every conceivable way.
You must be ready for any unexpected…
No. No…
No…
Maternity. Where?
Um, third floor.
Erickson…
No. No.
What have you done? Where's the specimen?
They didn't…
They didn't survive.
Search the hospital. Find me the bodies.
Go!
You better save some tears for yourself, Brandyworth.
You'll need them.
It's nobody's fault.
Bad things just…
They just happen.
Mr. And Mrs. Wilkins?
We all thought she was gone, but she…
she came back to us.
Oh.
- What? - She came back.
All on her own. We don't know how, but she did.
- Aw… - Your daughter is a fighter.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God!
Oh, thank you. Thank you!
Oh.
- Oh… - Oh, she's just perfect.
She's just perfect.
Our Samantha Eve Wilkins.
Sam sure loves her LEGOs, huh?
It's the only thing she'll play with.
Thanks, Zak. We'll be back by 10:00.
Oh, you have our number if you need anything.
Don't worry, Mrs. Wilkins. We'll be fine.
At least you will be.
I'm screwed if I don't prep for this test.
Huh. You like chemistry, Sam?
Then any idea why mercury is a liquid at room temperature
when it's surrounded by solids?
- Valence electrons. - Huh?
Mercury's 6s valence subshell has two electrons.
6s electrons
don't like being friends with other particles.
To be a solid, they got to bond, and they don't want to.
So… liquid.
Mercury's funny.
What else do you know?
Wha…?
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins…
Your daughter's a freaking genius.
No, seriously. Look at this.
Sam's been making molecules for me.
Check it out. That's baking soda.
This one, this one is glucose.
And believe it or not, that's magnesium.
I have no idea what that is, but it looks super cool.
Adam, last year,
when Samantha kept writing letters over and over again,
do you think it was this?
Don't be absurd.
She wasn't reading science textbooks.
She could barely read at all.
Oh, that's the thing.
She has these molecules memorized
like she could just see them in her head.
Well, I-I think it's pretty cool.
But seriously, thanks, Sam.
I'm gonna ace my test.
Mr. P won't know what hit him.
Maybe Zak's right.
It would explain a lot.
He's 16.
For all we know, he made it all up.
What if he didn't?
There are special schools.
Ones for gifted kids.
Oh, she's not gifted. She's just weird.
Public school's fine.
The neighbor called me last week
because she'd been staring at his tree for an hour.
Maybe she's not weird. Maybe she's smart.
The neighbors are talking about her?
Huh…
Uh, what's the name of that school for weirdos?
Huh?
Ow.
Now concentrate on maintaining your form.
- I said… - I'm trying.
Why you still bother
with these failures is beyond me.
He can barely keep his skin on his bones.
Phase Two's abilities are still impressive.
I don't want impressive.
I want the ability to change reality.
I want death on command. I want powerful beyond measure.
And I almost had it.
Return to your tube.
You shouldn't be out for too long.
- But… - Go.
We're making progress.
You're making failures.
And if I don't see something different soon,
you go in the tube next.
Hi. I'm…
Samantha Wilkins, right?
Um, yeah.
I guess you know I'm the weirdo that lives
across the street from you.
That's what my mom said.
I'm Val, the even weirder weirdo who lives
across the street from you.
Okay, okay.
My turn. Truth or dare?
Hmm… Truth.
Tell me something you've never told anyone.
Something your parents would be super pissed about.
Maybe I want to run away,
but I'm too scared to do it.
- Why? - Because I'm 12 and it's scary.
I mean, why do you want to run away?
My parents think I'm a weirdo, too.
They just want a normal kid who does her piano lessons
and gets straight A's and stuff.
Uh, it's their fault.
They put you in a special school for special kids.
That's a guaranteed weirdo-making move.
Yeah, but all the kids there are so boring.
They just want to be lawyers or doctors
or astronauts or whatever.
So, what do you want, then?
I want to do something that matters.
Hey, I'm serious.
I know.
That's why it's so funny.
Samantha?
Samantha, where are you?
I said you could go out for an hour.
It's been all day.
Sorry, Mom.
When your mother says come home, you come home.
You got homework to do if you want to get your grades up.
My grades are great.
There's other subjects than science.
Everything else is lame and boring.
Your mother and I were told you were special.
Silly us!
We thought that meant you should go to a school for special kids.
What's so special about them anyway?
They don't have any fun or care about anything.
They're just a bunch of freaks.
They're freaks? Look at yourself.
Isn't that why you belong there?
She-she knows I didn't mean it.
Didn't you?
Oh, my gosh!
Uh-uh-uh, change back. Change back. Change…
Ah?
Mm…
I'm busy!
I made you a snack, sweetie.
Cream cheese and olive sandwich.
Mm?
Mmm.
Dare.
But I get to pick what it is
and you can't tell anyone.
Okay…
Give me something. Like, anything.
Spearmint, right?
Now it's cherry. Try it.
- Ew, no. - Try it.
How'd you do that?
Look.
It's President Val.
Sam, I'm serious.
How are you doing this?
You know how I used to say I could, like,
see molecules and stuff?
Yeah, weirdo.
Well, I can also change them around.
Like, move electrons from here to there.
It's crazy.
Change them around?
Exactly.
And it's not just little things like gum.
I can make stuff.
What?
Like out of thin air.
Stop it.
Ooh-ooh-oh.
It likes you.
Stop!
Stop. I said stop.
Sorry, I just thought it was fun.
It's not, okay? It's freaking scary.
Come on, it's cool.
Normal people aren't supposed to be able
to do things like that.
Who cares?
Maybe I'm a superhero.
Do you know how much fun we can have with this?
- I should go home now. - Wait.
I'm sorry.
Val. Val.
Val.
Uh…
Oh, pink. It's your favorite color.
Yeah. This dress could change that.
Oh, don't be silly. It's adorable.
Remember to write a thank-you note to Aunt Penny.
I wish you were a puppy.
I wish I had a puppy.
Huh?
Creep.
Cool.
No…
Yes!
Cool.
Yeah!
This is fucked up.
Why are we stealing dogs?
Because no one gives a shit about dogs,
and they pay for them down at the lab.
You need the money or not?
I guess. Just seems kind of mean.
Spay and neuter your pets, man. Not our fault there's too many.
Shit. Hurry.
Keep your pants on.
- Hey. - Huh?
Ugh. What the hell?
Dude, I think it's a Powerpuff Girl.
- Shut up. - You shut up.
Both of you, shut up.
What are you doing?
None of your business.
Doesn't look like it's your business, either.
Buzz off, Powerpuff.
Come on. We need to get the rest.
If I can do that,
imagine what I can do to those dumb masks you're wearing.
Ow!
What now?
You gonna leave them squirming
like turtles on their backs?
- Don't come any closer. - Don't worry.
I know who you are and what you can do.
Who are you?
Maybe we could speak somewhere else?
Ever heard of stranger danger?
Hard pass, creep.
I'm not here to hurt you.
I just want to talk about where you came from.
Where your powers came from.
There's no easy way to say this, but…
I made you, Samantha.
I know about the birds and the bees, dude.
My gross parents made me.
Adam and Betsy Wilkins are not your real parents.
I'm… adopted?
Man, that would explain a lot.
My name is Dr. Elias Brandyworth.
I was the assistant director of
the Pentagon's Department of Superhuman Research.
Sure you were.
And now you eat out of dumpsters?
Yes. Yeah.
To stay off the grid. To protect you.
You were one of my projects, Samantha.
A superhero with almost limitless potential,
but under the control of the U.S. military.
You're crazy. I'm leaving.
You can see molecules. Turn paper into stone.
Feel the chemical composition of the world in your bones.
But you can't change people or animals.
Never people or animals.
I hid you with your parents when I realized I couldn't trust
the people I worked with
and how cruel your life with them would be.
- Then, why come find me now? - Because of your powers.
The military thinks you're dead.
If they discover you're not… they'll come for you.
You must stop using them.
What? No. I can do things that matter.
I can help people.
I'm begging you not to.
Samantha… What's that noise?
What noise?
You have to go. It's not safe.
Do not use your powers. Go!
- Eve! - Mom!
Where were you?
Nowhere. I mean, I… snuck out.
Why would you do that? I was worried sick.
I don't know. I'm sorry.
First you got expelled, and now this?
I said I was sorry.
Sorry doesn't cut it anymore!
Your father and I have done everything for you.
Sent you to a special school, looked the other way
with these odd little habits of yours.
- Why can't you just be…? - Normal?
Now that… that's not what I said.
It's what you meant.
- Oh, Eve. - I just want to go to sleep.
I love you, Samantha. I do.
But I wish you'd try harder sometimes.
We sent a drone out after our sensors got pinged,
but we lost contact after she flew away.
- It's her. - We don't know that.
It's her!
Old man,
white hair, grubby clothes.
Have you seen him?
Are you sure he isn't here?
Ugh, yes, I looked twice. He's not here.
Huh?
Nice soul patch, bro.
Makes your face extra punchable.
Get out of my way, kid.
Sure, once you give that all back,
and sit down nicely and wait for the police.
The name's Killcannon,
not "Gets beat up by little girls" Cannon.
Then I guess you'll need to go down to City Hall
and get it changed.
Huh, you…
The hell?
Mm. You're gonna regret that.
- Uh… - Sorry, kid.
You're just not made for this.
I literally was.
Ow!
Jerk.
Samantha.
How do you keep doing that?
I have a lot of time on my hands.
But you didn't listen to me.
You can't use your powers, Samantha.
You can't.
It's Atom Eve… when I'm in costume.
Atom Eve?
Where'd you come up with that?
Atom because… duh.
Eve because it's my middle name.
Cute.
No, the cape is cute.
The name is awesome.
I wish I could say the same for your actions.
What? I'm a freaking badass.
Not quite what I mean.
When I heard the fighting, I was afraid
you might be using your powers.
What? You don't even take a day off on your birthday?
How do you know it's my birthday?
My parents didn't even remember.
I was there, you know.
It was an important day for me, too.
You told me that before,
but I don't think I got all the details.
Trade you a burger for some answers.
Mmm.
Tell me about my parents. My real parents.
You said I was adopted. So, who was my real dad?
I didn't know your father.
Okay, then my mom.
Was she your science partner or something?
Is that where I get my smarts?
Yes, that's exactly it.
She was a valued colleague.
She volunteered her pregnancy for an experimental procedure.
What procedure?
We manipulated her amniotic fluid,
induced controlled mutational change.
Flooded her system with rapidly decaying particles.
I monitored her around the clock as she approached term.
We became close.
She begged me to make sure you had a life.
That you didn't grow up in a lab alone.
That was when I first realized you weren't just
an experiment or a weapon.
And I was making a terrible mistake.
I-I made plans to get her out, help her run away, but…
…she went into labor early.
We saved you, but…
A normal life.
That's… that's all she would have wanted for you.
A normal life.
We'll pick this up later.
If you keep doing this, they're going to find you.
I'm wearing a mask. I'm using a fake name.
I'm apparently a government-designed superweapon.
I'll be fine.
Whoa.
Um…
Fall back and, um,
form a perimeter or something.
What? Get the hell out of here.
We'll fall back and form a perimeter.
Great idea.
Get off of me.
What?
What's happening?
She's dying.
It's hard for us.
We're not perfect like you.
Who are you?
You don't know?
I have to speak for our siblings.
They've never been out of their tanks
long enough to learn to talk.
"Our" siblings?
…Phase Two,
Phase Three,
Phase Four,
Phase Five.
Each attempt less successful than the last,
but all one big happy family.
Okay, so you're less good versions of me.
Then this should be easy.
Look what you're doing!
What I'm doing?
I didn't start this.
I don't even want to do this.
Then die already.
What are you doing? We're gonna die.
It'll be worth it to see
the life drain from your perfect eyes.
Oh, thank God.
It's a shame we had to fight like this, sister.
We could have been a family together.
Wouldn't that have been nice?
Sure, we could have all moved in with Dr. Brandyworth.
One big freak family.
Brandyworth. He's not our family.
We're the best they could make without him.
They talk about us like we're not there.
Not real. Don't matter!
All we hear is how perfect you are.
And how perfect we aren't.
Ah…
Look who it is.
Let him go!
You actually like this monster?
Good.
No!
Thank… Thank you.
They can change into things.
Alter their bodies. I can't do any of that.
They wanted you to be a perfect weapon.
But even I have a conscience.
I implanted a subconscious block
to prevent you from altering living tissue.
You were perfect, but with limits.
I wasn't there to do the same with them.
Get up.
Look at me.
Look at me!
Wait.
No!
Help him.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
Goodbye, Eve.
I wish… everything was different for us.
They killed themselves…
trying to hurt me.
Samantha, we have…
Samantha!
Brandyworth.
What a treat.
Didn't think you'd crawl out from under your rock as well.
You have to let her go.
She's just a child!
No, she's a weapon.
My weapon.
And it's taken me years to get her back.
I'll come back.
I'll make you someone else.
You are back, Dr. Brandyworth.
And you will make me more weapons like her.
Hey.
Let him go, and I'll stay.
The man who tore you from your mother's womb,
and you want to save him?
Adorable.
But no.
We have plans for both of you.
I said you could have me…
…but not him.
I told you those restraints were theoretical.
Go on.
Do something else you'll regret.
You just told me how valuable he was, stupid.
I did.
But now that I have Brandyworth,
his research partner isn't needed anymore.
- Are you sure? - Do it!
Who… who is that?
Where do you think all your brothers
and sisters came from?
That's…
Good old Mom.
Oh, God!
She's alive.
Technically alive.
We didn't get her back up and running in time
to save her from massive brain damage.
But, well,
we both know she only had one use anyway.
You monster!
No!
Do something!
She was barely alive to begin with.
Oh!
Damn it!
That was an accident.
You murdered my whole family.
Eve, calm down.
You murdered my whole family!
I see it all now.
Every single molecule around us.
I can touch them, taste them, control them.
I could rearrange your cells to make you
whole new people from the monsters you are.
You ruined my life.
Took everything from me.
Killed people I didn't even know I loved.
I am Samantha Eve Wilkins.
And I defy you to even remember who I am.
What? Uh…
Where am I?
Oh, God.
And where have you been?
- Adam, wait. - Don't stick up for her!
She's late for her own birthday.
You couldn't even call?
Did you eat my cake?
How dare you!
I need to go.
Go? Go where?
Hey, like it or not, we're the only family you've got.
Samantha?
Please come out.
It's your birthday.
Let's try again.
Only one I've got.
Oh, Sam.
Oh. Oh…
It's okay, dear.
It's all going to be okay.
I promise.
Mm. You're home early.
- Yeah, light day. - Dad.
Dad, look. I'm gonna be…
Duct Tape Man.
Like, even if I don't get powers,
I can just tie people up with duct tape.
You can do anything with duct tape.
I don't know if that's gonna work as well as
you hope it will, kiddo.
And you might rethink that as we peel all this off.
Go upstairs and run a bath. That should… help.
A little.
That boy is never getting his powers, is he?
Don't ask me.
You're the superhero space alien.
But even if he doesn't, we'll love him just as much.
Finish dinner while I untape the boy.