Suddenly the two are interrupted by the OMAC carrying Karate Kid back to be dissected. When OMAC targets the two of them for assimilation, Desaad tries to order the OMAC to back off, claiming "You may consume the whole of Apokolips, but this human is mine! I broke him of his will. I led him here with one purpose in mind!"

Desaad goes on to explain that it was he who discovered that Piper's abilities were related to the fact that Piper was a rare human vessel for the Anti-Life. Because of that he was the one that set the events into motion that killed Trickster and drove Piper to the brink of insanity. Unwilling to back down to Desaad, the OMAC blasts Desaad with a laser and carries Piper with him deeper into the center of Brother Eye. Red Robin stumbles upon them and follows with the other Challengers not too far behind.

Once they reach the dissection chamber at the very core of Brother Eye Apokolips, Brother Eye begins scanning Karate Kid and discovers that he is a carrier for the Morticoccus Virus. Jason Todd runs in and attacks the OMAC while Brother Eye begins to dissect Val. During the battle, Jason tricks the OMAC into crashing the storage container that was imprisoning Firestorm. The other challengers arrive in time to help Jason fight the OMAC but too late to stop the dissection of Karate Kid. Brother Eye has the Morticoccus Virus.

Before the Challengers can attack Brother Eye, a Boom Tube teleports Donna, Mary, Jason, Holly, Harley, Ray, Firestorm and Val out of the core and into the middle of an OMAC trap. Left alone in the core chamber, Piper is confront by Desaad one final time. Piper agrees to play a final tune - but not exactly the notes Desaad expected. The sound vibrations cause Desaad's head to explode in a bloody mess. Piper has finally avenged his fallen friend, Trickster.

With one villain vanquished, Piper decides that it's time for Brother Eye to "face the music." He finally tests out his power and plays his swan song - activating the Anti-Life he destroys the core (and presumably himself), causing Brother Eye to flee Apokolips. Released from Brother Eye's hold, Una finds herself with the Challengers on the face of the crumbling Apokolips. As OMACs fall from the sky, the Challengers are ready to leave this burg but first they need Kyle Rayner to return to consciousness. Although they've escaped Brother Eye, the Challengers desperately need the Green Lantern ring to shield them from some (as yet) unseen newcomers who are just arriving on the dying planet...

NOTE:
Special end of issue story entitled, "The Origin of Black Manta"