Batman meets with the League and the senior team members. "Dick knew the suspect he was chasing in Star City would attempt another murder. Even better, the suspect can get his hands on one of Dick's own knives. He knew we'd have proof that he may be apart of it and want to take him into custody. So he can get himself involved." Batman explains.

"He said he needs our help with something, in short." Kaldur adds.

"For now, he can trust him. I believe Dick wouldn't kill anyone, I know he would never sink that far."

At the base, Dick sits at the table with William. The eat dinner in silence which is unusual. William tried starting a conversation twice now but Dick merely responded with a hum. "Something troubles you, son." William calls Dick his son when they are alone.

"It's nothing, grandfather."

"Are you sure? Because I don't think you are."

Dick looks at him. "I don't know if I want to play so close with the team again or with the Light. If Kaldur and Wally agree, in the end it's all on my shoulders."

"It's for both benefit of the League and the Court, Richard."

"I know, but they may not see it. It'll be a bunch of lies and illusions that may be to hard to even pull off at such distance."

"It will be fine."

"And then leave in the end."

"Richard, stop. You know your orders. Now follow them through. The results will be beneficial."

Three months later:

Artemis and Gray keep perched above. "It's a beautiful night." Dick starts a conversation among silence.

"I didn't think you would like those anymore." Artemis comments.

Dick chuckles. "I'm still the same person, Artemis."

"Mask says differently."

"Well... It's been a pleasure working with you again."

"Same. Being back in the field, I forgot how much I missed it. Which is exactly what Wally is afraid of. I'll get attached the excitement."

"No problem with him being worried. I don't blame him. The question is, are you ready to do this, Artemis? There is still a chance to back out."

"No... I trust you, Dick. Kaldur does, so should I. It's proven so far that you were right. Batman has let you run multiple mission as well, with Aqualad gone and Batgirl still training."

"That's not what I meant. Things could go wrong. You two can get caught."

"I know."

"I'll take full blame."

"But not full consequence."

*Found the missile launch. I'll fight th-* La'goon Boy says through link.

*Negative. Wait for backup.* Gray responds.

*I'll grab an re-breather from the cargo lounge to help the rookie out.* Conner responds.

*Re-* Gray tries to scar Conner for that, knowing how stubborn La'gahnn is.

*Rookie! Neptune's beard! I don't need any help from the Boy of Steel!*

*La'goon Boy, stand down!*

*Sorry, your breaking up. **kuurkk klluuch**

*There's no static on the psychic link! Conner, how are you on that re-breather?*

*Negative. La'gahnn didn't restock.*

*urrr... Then M'gann, gill up and get down there.*

*copy that, Gray.*

"Wonderful..."

Artemis chuckles. "Answer me."

"You know I can't. But I still don't want you getting hurt."

"I'll be fine. I promise. In the end, we'll just laugh. Isn't that right, former Boy Wonder?"

"We'll laugh about this someday..." Suddenly shooting begins. "Time to move!" Dick shoots a grapple gun and grabs Artemis. She holds on to him. She will never admit it, but she has gained a little crush on Gray... Dick has grown up so much. They land and duck behind a wall. Artemis reads the sign. "We are on the wrong side of this wall." Dick looks at her. The counting sequence is announced. "Ok, we are really on the wrong side of this wall!" Dick's eyes widen. Artemis gets up and begins shooting. Dick grabs her covers her, pulling her back down as a bullet nearly hits her.

"I know you're rusty but are you trying to get yourself killed?! On my count, we go. You ready?"

"I'm ready."

"You promise?"

"I promise... Gray." They begin to listen for an opening to run when Artemis thinks of something. "Their helmets! Made to enhance vision under water, right?" She shoots an arrow up and it explodes a light, temporarily blinding the troopers.

"3... 2... 1..." They get up and over and begin to attack the manta troopers.

Dick believes Artemis doesn't realize what is going on behind her but she turns and hits the trooper upside the head with her bow. "What? I'm not that rusty." She says.

They put down the last trooper as Kaldur and several more troopers emerge from the water. Kaldur begins to fight them, knocking down Dick twice only because he was holding back to make the fight look good for Kaldur who fires a missile as the rocket begins it's launch. Artemis fires an arrow. "May it rest on me." She says.

She turns to fight Kaldur but is caught by surprise. A sword of water is stabbed through her chest. "Welcome back." He says.

Gray sees. "Artemis!" He yells at the top of his lungs, getting up from the attack and running to catch her.

The rocket explodes as Kaldur is about to speak. Then announces "We are finished here." And Kaldur and the rest of the troopers leave.

Gray removes his mask and begins CPR procedures with pushing on her chest. M'gann and Superboy get there quick. "I don't hear a heart beat..." Says Conner.

"28... 29... 30..." Gray finishes. Then he finishes with mouth to mouth three times. He takes a deep breath as he "checks her pulse" but leans back shaking his head. "She's dead..." He tells them. He shuts his eyes and puts his arms on his knees.

"Like you have a right..."

"Conner." M'gann stops Conner from continuing what he was going to say. Dick cringes and gets up.

"I'll call the league."

"Which one?"

"Conner!"

"The Justice Legaue." Dick answers, narrowing his eyes.

"Then go, blue eyes." The comment is about him wearing black contacts.

"La'gahnn will have to be rescued sometime else. The manta flyer is probably long gone." And finally Dick leaves.

That night, at a warehouse in Blüd Haven, Gray awaits. He looks at the picture he took years ago. "We'll laugh about this someday." Then he hears a noise. "Wally?"

Out in the open he walks followed by Kaldur from the other side. "No." Next is Wally and Artemis. "I take it our rouge was successful?"

"Yes. Almost too successful. The team and the league are in mourning. They may never forgive us..."

"They may never trust you again."

"That doesn't matter."

"And still only we four know the secret."

"This one and the others. That you have been under deep cover and that the court supposedly knows of my distance plots. What about you?"

"I have gained further trust from my biological father. He is moving me further up the ladder, taking me closer to the Light."

"But not without cost, Kaldur. The rocket should not have been destroyed and La'gahnn definitely wasn't supposed to be captured."

"I did not blow up the rocket, and it was to save La'gahnn's life."

"I know..." Dick calms down.

Dick takes something out of his pocket and walks to Artemis to put an orange jewel around her neck. "Dude, why are you putting bling around my dead girlfriend?"

"It's a glamour charm. Curtesy of Zatanna. Phizzio morphus spell, I think. She said it backwards."

Wally takes a look. "Wow... she looks exactly the same."

"To the four of us, and only us. But to everyone else, she's a completely different person."

"The even more impressive trick is how you got something so specific from Zatanna without revealing who or what it was for... Considering the fact as Gray, your one of the most untrustworthy people among the original team. She's hated you since the last mission we all saw you, when you mentioned her dad." Dick looks in phased as Artemis explains.

"It took the mentioning of a past and other favorable connections. She only agreed because... I really actually don't know."

"Dog." Wally comments rolling his eyes.

They part, Artemis with Kaldur. Wally and Dick meet at the top of the warehouse. "I remember what you did. Everyone else may be fooled, but I don't trust you. I don't trust Kaldur even more though."

"Then why play along?"

"Because I want to trust you again. You said I wasn't your best friend but you are still mine. And it's Artemis who is choosing to do this. But if you go one step out of line, I will tell the team and league and that Psimon trick isn't going to do you any good."

"This was the hard part, Wally."

"Are you kidding? It only gets harder from here." Dick turns as Wally leaves. "I'm never falling for your games again... After all that time, and I fell for it. Now I know your tricks. So watch. Out." And wall leaves officially.