Conner, Mal, Colton, Vanessa, Rai, and Dick are currently standing in the mission room, talking about Bart and the original Roy Harper.

"They're both gonna wind up our responsibility, aren't they?" Mal questions with a slight humorous but annoyed tone.

"Not necessarily. Bart, Impulse, is staying with Jay and Joan Garrick in Central City. Roy, the original Speedy is recuperating at Royal Memorial Hospital in Star City. Arrows Green and Red are watching over him," Dick says.

"Huh-uh," Mal grunts. "They're both gonna wind up our responsibility."

"Doesn't everything," Conner retorts. "I mean where are we on identifying the Light's new partner?"

Dick sighs annoyed. "No progress." He grips the top of his nose with his eyes closed as he says this.

Giggles distract them, and they all turn to the source.

"La'gaan, don't eat so fast," Megan giggles as the two walk in the mission room.

La'gaan eats these small little balls of food. "I can't help it, angelfish. The idea of cooking crabs is amazing enough. But making them into little cakes?" He eats another.

"You're gonna choke," she says.

"If only," Phantom mutters harshly only heard by Nightwing, Conner, and Spook.

"Here. Let me," Megan says, feeding him one of the crab cakes.

"If that's not true love, I don't know what is, chum," La'gaan says, smirking in Rai's direction.

"Call me when it's time for the briefing," Rai snarls, walking past the couple.

"Recognized: Artemis, B09."

"Time for the briefing," Nightwing laughs.

"Artemis!" Megan squeals, racing towards her and almost knocking the tray from La'gaan's hands. She tackles Artemis in a hug.

"Hi, M'gann," Artemis smiles happily.

"How's Wally?" Megan asks.

"He's... Wally," she responds.

The two laugh.

"Welcome back girl," Mal greets.

"Hey Mal."

"We have so missed you around here," Conner says.

"Nice to see you," Colton says.

"Connor! Colton!"

"I relish this opportunity to finally fight beside you archer," La'gaan says, wrapping an arm around Megan's shoulders.

"Um, thanks, La'gaan," she says, looking at him confused unknowing of Rai and Megan's breakup.

"Welcome back," the twins speak together with a smile.

"I see you two are still in sync as ever," she laughs.

"Of course," they bow jokingly together.

They all laugh.

"Okay, gamma squad, listen up. The mission's Cape Canaveral covert op to safeguard the first Earth-Mars com-sat. There are people out there who don't even like the idea of aliens and will do anything to scrub this launch."

Megan looks down in sadness.

"But," Artemis speaks up, trying to cheer Megan up. "That's why I came back because not all of us feel that way."

"So why are you going?" Mal asks Nightwing.

"Let's just say, that after running this team for a year, I'm... peckish for a little action," Nightwing grins, pulling his glove.

"Gather everyone together," Vanessa tells everyone. "We're leaving in 8 hours."

~~~20:59 EDT~~~

Match, dressed in Superman's suit, Megan, disguised as Martian Manhunter, and Spook, completely invisible to everyone, are at a press conference in Cape Canaveral with Carol Ferris as the speaker. Flying far above is Match with an invisible Spook beside him for extra help incase something bad happens. The two are up there to supervise from above but also for Match to appear as if he was Superman so people can believe that Superman is here.

"And, we are officially at T minus one hour and counting," Carol speaks as the clock moves to an hour. "Uh, now we do have time for a few questions. Yes, Miss..." She's cut off by Godfrey, raising a hand and blocking off Miss Grant. "...Godfrey." She finishes annoyed.

"Miss Ferris. Maybe I'm the only one not drinking this space cola but has anyone asked whether Earth wants more communication with aliens?"

"Our galaxy contains billions of stars, yet Earth and Mars are warmed by the same sun. The Martians aren't aliens," Carol says, planning out her next words. "They're our next door neighbours. Isn't it time we got to know them?"

"So that's your plan. Borrow a cup of Martian sugar while our world is being invaded," Godfrey huffs with a big grin.

"If I may," Megan, disguised as Martian Manhunter, speaks with his voice. Carol moves out the way so she could talk. "All the more reason both worlds must stand together. This satellite represents a new spirit of cooperation between sister planets. The beginning of an alliance that can protect us all."

Carol moves back in front of the stand. "Thank you, Martian Manhunter. On behalf of Ferris Aircraft and the Earth-Mars Communication Initiative, we couldn't agree more."

Miss M flies up to the other two and all begin to fly off back to the bioship.

"That's it? No more questions for the mighty Manhunter? Tell old G. Gordon that name doesn't sound ominous to any decent earthling. And did you notice the Kryptonian's not taking any questions at all?" Gordon Godfrey huffs behind them.

"We're out of sight," Miss M says, shifting to her normal self.

"Good," Match says. "Let's just get to the bio-ship. I don't like this monkey suit."

"It's time for the mission," Vanessa says. "We have a few minutes before we leave."

"So, why do we have to do this again?" Match asks.

"It's to maintain the illusion that Superman, Manhunter, and the other leaguers who went into space are still on Earth. We can't let our enemies know how shorthanded the Justice League is right now."

"Right," he sighs.

~~~21:22 EDT~~~

"Miss M, link us up," Nightwing reports.

'Link established,' Miss M says.

'Good,' Nightwing says. 'Begin aerial sweep of the cape's perimeter.'

Nightwing and Artemis are perched in a tower, watching everything they can. Miss M, Phantom, Match, and Superboy are in the bioship. Lagoon Boy and Spook are under the water.

'Hey boss, I'd be happy to join my angelfish on that assignment.'

'Negative Lagoon Boy. You're right where I need you giving me maximum coverage. In the water, on land, and in the air. In case there's any attempt at sabotage,' Nightwing tells him.

'"And so I'm stereotyped as the water guy, again. Meanwhile she flies the friendly skies along with ghostly ex-boyfriend. Neptune's beard!" he shouts aloud, swimming off.

Spook rolls her eyes before hearing a loud dropping sound from nearby. "Lagoon Boy, heads up. We're not alone."

"Huh?"

'I heard something under the water. Lagoon Boy and I will investigate,' Spook reports to the others.

'Alright, be careful,' Nightwing replies.

'Always am,' she says.

Up in the bioship, Conner and Match head to the back to find rebreathers to possibly join Spook and Lagoon Boy if needed. The awkward silence between Phantom and Miss Martian begins which causes an argument that ends up making Megan tear up. (Argument the same as show.)

'Whoa. Heads up, minnows. We got bad guys,' Lagoon Boy reports.

"Black Manta's troopers working some kind of platform beneath the surface just offshore. We're heading in,' Spook says.

'How many?' Nightwing asks.

'A lot, but not enough to finish me,' Spook says.

'Wait for backup,' he says.

'I'll head down and help my sister and the rookie out,' Phantom says. 'That should be enough power.'

'Rookie! Neptune's beard! I don't need any help from the demighost boy!' he shouts, powering up and attacking.

'Lagoon Boy! Stand down!' Nightwing shouts.

'Too late, Nightwing,' Spook replies, joining in the fight. 'We'll be fine.'

'Miss Martian, we need cover fire down here,' Nightwing says.

'Acknowledged,' she replies.

'Phantom and Match, head out and take down the ones on land,' Nightwing commands.

'Kaldur is here,' Spook reports, taking down more lackeys and replicating. 'He just took down Lagoon Boy. Also, there's an incoming missile heading your way!'

'Phantom, can you put up a force field?' Nightwing questions.

'Aye, aye, captain!' Phantom salutes, blowing up a force field as the missile explodes on contact and never touches the rocket.

'We're really on the wrong side of this wall,' Artemis calls out as the alarm for the rocket begins to sound.

Another missile is shot, and Phantom once again blocks it with a force field. Match begins to take down the troopers on land.

'The troopers' helmets. Designed to enhance vision under water, right?' Artemis says then shoots a flash bomb into the sky, blinding the troops. Nightwing and Artemis jump over the wall.

'Miss M, head underwater and help Lagoon Boy. Superboy take the controls. Spook, we need you up here to help your brother with the force field,' Nightwing says.

'Acknowledged,' the girls say, switching out.

Spook makes a clone of herself and leaves it to protect Lagoon Boy until Miss M arrives. The clone is eventually taken down by Kaldur. Spook appears beside her brother, quickly putting up a force field together around the whole rocket, protecting it from all the missiles.

'They've taken La'gaan! I'm going after him,' Miss M says.

'Priority is the missiles,' Nightwing says.

'There are too many,' Superboy says, blasting another out of the sky.

'Our force field will cause problems to the rocket if we continue to cover it,' Spook says.

"Kaldur. You don't want to do this," Artemis tells him.

"I believe I do," he replies, summoning up a dragon made of water, taking down Nightwing, Artemis, and Match.

The rocket launches and the twins take down their force fields.

"The mission may yet succeed," Kaldur says, shooting a small missile towards the rocket.

The twins blast it into pieces before Artemis turns to shoot an arrow.

"No rest on me," she smirks, knowing the arrow would've destroyed it anyway.

"Artemis, behind you!" Nightwing shouts, running to take Kaldur down only to get swatted to the side by a water hammer.

Kaldur moves in towards Artemis, hammering her bow out of her hand as she dodges then forms his other bearer into a sharp blade and stabbing it through her stomach. "Welcome back."

"Artemis!" Nightwing and the twins shout.

"I got you," Nightwing says, catching her and gently laying her down. "Hang on."

Kaldur sheathes his water bearers. "Move out. The mission is a failure." The rocket suddenly explodes in the distance. Kaldur narrows his eyes at the rocket. "We are done here." He and his men leave back to the water.

Nightwing begins to start compressions on Artemis. Match and the twins fly up to Artemis and Nightwing, Superboy jumps down from the bioship, and Miss M springs up from the water.

"I-I don't hear her heartbeat," Match whispers out.

"28, 29, 30," Nightwing counts then blows into her mouth three times but doesn't hear a breath released. He looks down in sadness before looking to the others. "She's dead."

~~~

In a warehouse in Blüdhaven, is where the five meet.

"We'll laugh about this someday," Nightwing murmurs, looking at a picture on his holowatch. A sound breaks his memory and walks a little to investigate. "Wally?"

"No," Kaldur replies sternly.

Wally walks up opposite of Nightwing then Artemis appears beside him, dressed in an oversized hooded jacket.

"I take it our ruse was successful?" Kaldur asks.

"Almost too successful. The team and the League are in mourning. They may never forgive us," Nightwing says.

"And still, only we know the secret?" Kaldur asks.

"This secret and the other," Spook says, appearing before them.

"Damn, I hate when you do that," Wally complains to himself.

"That you've been under deep cover within Black Manta's organization since leaving the team," Spook continues. "Sorry, I'm late. It was hard to get away from the others to replicate myself before coming here."

"How'd it go on that end?" Nightwing asks Kaldur.

"Successful as well. I've proven my loyalty to my biological father. He's moving me up the ladder, bringing me closer to the Light. And their unknown partner."

"Not without cost, Kaldur," Nightwing distresses. "The com-sat wasn't supposed to be destroyed, and La'gaan definitely wasn't supposed to be captured."

"It was the only way to save his life and maintain my cover," Kaldur reasons.

"I'm not blaming you," Nightwing says, placing a hand to Kaldur's shoulder. "I know you've been forced to make impossible decisions. Like choosing between saving the Kroloteans on Malina Island–"

"Or saving my friends," Kaldur says as Nightwing drops his hand. "And I will find a way to help La'gaan. You have my word."

"So what now?" Artemis asks, holding on tight to Wally's intertwined hand.

Nightwing pulls out a necklace and places it around Artemis' neck.

"Uh, dude? Why are you giving bling to my dead girlfriend?" Wally asks.

"Glamor charm. Courtesy of Zatanna. Physio-morphic spell, I think. She said it backwards," Nightwing says.

Wally moves to stand beside Nightwing and Kaldur as Spook floats behind them.

"Wow... You look... exactly the same," Wally deadpans.

"To the five of us. And only us. But to anyone else, you're an entirely different person," Nightwing says.

"The more impressive trick is how you got something so specific from Zatanna without revealing who or what it was for," Artemis says.

"We have a history," Nightwing quickly answers.

Wally nudges him with a smirk. "Dawg."

"It is time," Kaldur says.

Wally moves up to Artemis, and they give each other a hug before kissing, making everyone look away in shame for making them split up.

"What could go wrong?" Artemis voices.

They lightly chuckle. "Don't say that," Wally scolds, tucking some of her fly away hairs behind her ear.

Nightwing places a hand on Wally's shoulder, making Artemis step away.

Spook moves up to Artemis, presenting her with a solid grey vile to hide the glowing green fluid inside. "This is experimented on ectoplasm. It will temporarily give you some of my ghost powers. Invisibility, intangibility, and my healing factor. Only use in emergencies. Don't drink all at one or it could kill you and make you like Greta. Only take a small sip. For small injuries put a small drop on the wound. It should heal right up. Make sure you keep it protected. I'm trusting you with this."

She takes it, tucking it into a hidden pocket on her jacket. "I will take good care of it."

Kaldur already left and Artemis makes her way out the building behind him. Spook grabs Nightwing and Wally and flies them up to the roof to watch them leave. They disappear under the waves inside a manta ship.

"We're through the hard part," Nightwing says."They're in."

"Who are you kidding? It only gets more dangerous from here," Wally scoffs before speeding away.

Nightwing and Spook turn to each other.

"I understand why you chose me over my brother, but why did you involve me?" Spook asks him.

"I needed a powerhouse that could talk down Conner and Match."

"Is that really all I'm here for?"

"No, you're needed apart of this group much more than the others," he says. "Your powers are ideal for this whole thing. Intangibility, invisibility, replicating, and flight are much needed when we need to set something up without the others knowing."

"That makes sense." She sighs. "Well, I'll take you home if you want or do you want me to teleport to the cave?"

"My house would be best," he says.

She grabs his shoulder and teleports them there. "Now, I gotta go and comfort two hard headed Kryptonians." She returns to the cave before he can blink.