48

Chapter XLVIII: Depths.

Last Time.

Naruto jumped to the man and hit him with a Rasengan (Spiraling Sphere) and went to Simon who was in a cage. "OK, tell us everything." Before he could talk, Simon was hit with fear toxin having Batman use his grapple gun and pull him forward to knock him out.

They walked through a door where they saw Scarecrow working on computer in front of a large device in the front of the ship. Batman walked up and was gasped before Naruto kneed Scarecrow to the device. Batman injected himself with a serum before they heard the Knight over their earpieces.

"Now!" Scarecrow hit a button on remote and the Cloudburst device was pulled apart with explosions going off. Once clear of the ship, Naruto saw the Knight in a helicopter before firing multiple rockets at the Duo giving them an escape.

"Damn it!" Naruto cursed looking as the helicopter flew off.

(Flashback End.)

Naruto sighed as he picked up his son and went to the living room area of the Cave with his wives are talking to his future self.

Now.

Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse March 5, 14:13 EST.

Naruto was in his office typing on his computer before Donna and Megaera walked in. "Dad, are you ready? We've got a team meeting later to talk to... You and Bart and that Grifter guy." Donna said as Naruto looked up before standing.

"OK." He stood up and they saw a reflection of the Knight.

"Why are you still looking her up? We already took both her and the Scarecrow down."

Naruto looked up to his daughters before speaking. "Yeah, we did. But, she was from my world. Only blondes I know of don't fight like that. At least Ino, Temari, and Samui. Tsunade's too old to do that stuff."

"What are you two doing here? I thought you were meeting friends." Meg nodded at that.

"Yeah, we're studying now, they're just outside." Naruto smirked before standing up.

"OK GIRLS! YOUR STUFFED FOXES THAT YOU CAN'T SLEEP WITHOUT IS IN YOUR ROOM!"

Both his daughters let out embarrassed squeaks at that as Naruto left the room.

"DAD~!"

They whined walking out to a group of four girls around their age including Wendy with short cropped hair in the back.

"Now, now girls you go study. I'll come back and tuck you in when you're done like you always have me do." He said as the girls went into their went into their room.

"Man, your father hasn't aged much." Wendy said as an African-American girl spoke up.

"Yeah, he's pretty hot!" Donna pushed them inside their room.

"Shut up!" Naruto grinned as he spoke up.

"Hey! Don't you wanna see baby pictures of them taking a bath in the sink?! Or on a bearskin rug without any clothes on?!"

SLAM!

Naruto smiled as he went back into his office before looking to the screen. "Who the hell are you?"

(Flashback.)

Gotham; G.C.P.D. October 31 2013, 20:16 EST.

Kage walked to the back of the Batmobile as they parked in front of the entrance. Creating several clones, Naruto opened the back door and revealed the seats were folded into the floor as a balding man in a blanket.

The clones grabbed the man as they made their way inside. Naruto saw a policeman in a cell that one clone caught as an informant for the Riddler. They walked inside to see Aaron at the desk. "What the hell happened on that airship?" He asked as Naruto let medics take Kirk.

"Scarecrow took the Cloudburst." Batman replied having Aaron sigh.

"I'm guessing that's bad?" Naruto nodded before replying.

"Where's James?" Aaron moved his head back before speaking.

"Talking to his family in a back room." Naruto nodded at that before they walked to Ivy's pod.

"We need your help." Ivy just stared at them.

"From where I'm standing, you need a miracle." She said before Naruto spoke up.

"Why didn't the gas affect you?" Ivy looked to Naruto before speaking.

"You are scared."

Naruto looked to Batman who spoke up.

"You would be too if you knew what Scarecrow's planning."

"And I should trust you, why?" Naruto looked to her before speaking.

"You have my promise."

Ivy looked to Naruto in mild shock before Naruto continued. "Please Ivy, every plant in Gotham City will be in danger, and so will Harley. One of my clones saw her talking to some of Joker's men just outside the lighthouse."

"Fine." Ivy said as Naruto unlocked the door having her walk out. Naruto took her arm as she looked to him. Naruto looked to see the cell in the middle with Pyg, Deacon Blackfire, and a man with 90% of his body burned in a suit similar to a firefly.

"Firefly tried to attack the firehouses. I've got all but one firefighter here and the Chief as well." Naruto said looking at all the firefights in the room. "Now about that miracle." Naruto said as the medics put Kirk in her containment pod.

"(Sigh) I created a spore that counters the effect of Crane's toxin. It's easy when you know how... And can manipulate plants on a molecular level." She explained before Batman spoke.

"Could it protect the entire city?" She shrugged at that.

"Theoretically... But there's no way I can produce enough on my own." Naruto sighed as they walked out to the hall.

"Is there anything that could help?" She nodded at that.

"Yes, at the Botanical Gardens, very old plants are there." Naruto nodded as they walked out to the cars. Naruto opened the back of the Batmobile, only for Ivy to go to the Tumbler. "I think I'll ride up front this time."

Naruto shrugged at that before going in. Following after Batman, the last blast door didn't open as Cash came up on Naruto's holo screen.

"Cash, the blast door won't open." Batman said as he came up in a small window beside Aaron.

"There's one big mother of a tank driving around outside."

"Yeah, my clones sees it. Too well-armoured to hit directly, and the ammo will tear both cars apart in two shots. There's a small exhaust point in back we can hit if we sneak up on it." Nodding, the gate opened up and they went into Tank Mode before seeing a large tank scanning the area in front of it, as well as the sides.

(A/N: For a better picture, look at Cobra Tank Arkham: Knight.)

They followed behind it before Batman shot a missile in the back.

BOOM!

The Cobra Tank blew up before Lucius came up on their screens. "Miste-! Batman." Lucius said catching himself seeing Poison Ivy. "I've got that upgrade ready for your cars. It's ready at the clocktower of course." Nodded, the two drove to a garage under the clocktower.

The floor opened up and the cars sank down as a scanner moved over them. Then they placed an E.M.P. on their wheels. They were put back up to the ground ad drove to Miagani Island.

Miagani Island October 31, 20:21 EST.

"Damn it! I hate these Cobra Tanks!" Naruto yelled as he blew up the third one that was put on the island before driving to the Gardens. Once there, they stopped beside a large tree under an interstate exit.

"Look at her. She's been here since before Man walked the Earth."

"She still holds great power. But she's weak... Poisoned by decades of pollution. She won't be able to fight Scarecrow's toxin on her own." Batman looked at the tree before looking to her.

"Then we need another." Ivy scoffed at that.

"There aren't any left like her. Not anymore."

"What happened?" Naruto asked as Ivy walked to the tree. And turned to glare at the duo.

"What do you think? Man. You cut them down, built over them, stopped them from reaching the sun." Naruto sighed before speaking. "

If we can locate the roots, could you revive them?"

"They're lost, buried beneath this concrete monstrosity. How will you..." She trailed off as Naruto walked over.

"We have a way, I'll leave some clones here to make sure you're not attacked." He said before Batman gave her a communicator to talk. She walked to the tree that opened up and went inside before they brought their wrist communicators up.

Missing the tree grow larger, grow vines, and glowing buds that bloomed into flowers. And several large vines grow above.

"Lucius, I need a way to track an ancient root system. It's deep underground." Batman said as Lucius was on the screen.

"I'm sure I've got something. Come to Wayne Tower later." Suddenly, Miss Martian came up on Naruto's screen.

"Anything going on?"

She looked down before looking up. "Two-Face's gang is robbing the bank on each island, and another of Penguin's trucks have been spotted." Naruto nodded at that.

"Got it, I'll send the Tumbler over to the tower to pick up Frost." Naruto said hitting a button having the Tumbler drive away.

"I'll wait here in case the Knight sends any tanks to take out Ivy."

Batman said having Naruto nod. "Got it, I'll come back after taking care of the cache. Shouldn't take more than thirty minutes. I'll call you and meet up at the Tower. I'll send a clone to each bank to deal with Dent."

Bleake Island; Sionis Industries October 31, 20:25 EST.

Kage dropped in front of Sionis building after following another van. "Penguin's next cache is in Sionis Industries." Naruto said over his earpiece.

"Got it."

"Damn it! I was just there!"

Frost cursed as Naruto dropped down. Turning on his Detective Vision and saw two sentry guns pointed at the large door. Going into the side door, Naruto took an E.M.P. arrow and threw it at the guns ashe hid against the wall. The guns broke down and Naruto went up to the room on the second floor.

There, he saw a group of Penguin's men walking around before taking out three arrows. He shot them down and they exploded in smoke, blinding the group. Naruto jumped through the glass just as ice-covered the room and Nightwing dropped down from the glass rooftop.

They fought the man as Frost froze the ones near her. After taking out the group, Naruto threw several explosive tags in the vault on the side of the room before closing the door.

BOOM!

"Let me know when you found the next cache." Naruto said having Nightwing nod.

"Got it. There's at least three more."

Miagani Island; Kingston Bank October 31, 20:50 EST.

A clone of Kage dropped on a gargoyle in the third, and last Bank Two-Face was robbing. "Fifteen men." He said before taking a deep breath and created fourteen clones that each took out a man. Suddenly, Two-Face walked in with two men with disrupter backpacks on, two medics, and two heat concealed men.

Two-Face hasn't changed other than the left sleeve of his jacket was torn showing his burnt arm.

Naruto dropped down behind Two-Face as seven clones took care of his men. Naruto knocked Two-Face out before Flashing away with him.

G.C.P.D. October 31, 20:55 EST.

Naruto appeared in front of the door just as Two-Face woke up. Naruto took him inside where his men are in the cells.

"Hands off the boss, freak!"

"Yeah, he's twice the man you are!"

"Save your breath, we'll have our chance." Two-Face said as they walked to the main room. "Still trying to preserve the balance of justice, eh, Kage? Impossible! Think of all the crimes you missed going after me!" Naruto just smirked at that.

"That's why I have clones patrolling each island, Dent!"

Miagani Island; Wayne Tower October 31, 21:00 EST.

Naruto flashed beside the Batmobile before calling the Tumbler to him. A moment went by before the Tumbler made the turn and stopped by Naruto who jumped in the air to land inside. "Lucius, we're here. Open the door." Batman said looking at the door leading to the basement parking lot of Wayne Tower.

"I... I thought you were here already, Mister Wayne. Must be a glitch in the system. I'll get that checked immediately." The duo drove down the road and came up to the empty lot before going to the Wayne logo by the elevator. "Mister Wayne, Mister Uzumaki, the perimeter's been breached."

Tanks came through the other entrances before Naruto saw several missile launchers ones. He hacked them having the tanks turn on the others before using the E.M.P. on the others. After taking care of the tanks, the duo went back and had the floor open up to go underneath.

A large circular device was laced on the bottom of the cars before they came back up. "Lucius, we can't risk another incursion. Lock down the building and transfer remote production to Alfred." Batman said having Lucius nod. In Tank Mode, the duo followed roots up to the ground and a few blocks over from Wayne Tower.

There, they saw a large cluster of roots before letting out a large sonar blast and had them shoot out of the ground sprouting flowers as well Only for an R.P.G. to hit them, halting their progress."Ivy!" Naruto yelled as they got to the rooftop on the other side.

"They're attacking my plant. Protect her!"

They glided and jumped forward taking out three men each. Naruto flipped over one muscular man and kicked him into a spotlight shocking him before kicking the last man to Batman who slammed him down on the roof hard.

Naruto saw the vines browning before bringing up Ivy on his holoscreen. "It's done. She's fully matured. She should be strong enough to take care of Scarecrow's toxins." Naruto nodded at that.

"Stay in the Gardens, Ivy. We'll let you know if the situation changes." He said before bringing up Miss Martian and Alfred.

"Have you two found the Cloudburst?" They both shook their heads at that before Miss Martian spoke.

"No, sorry. But there's a lot of interference." Alfred picked up after her. "

No doubt to hide their movements." Batman looked at them before speaking.

"Upload the data to the movie studios."

Bleake Island; Movie Studio October 31, 21:11 EST.

The duo went down the elevator and came to the underground room set up like the Cave with four people in sterilizing pods similar to Ivy's from the G.C.P.D.

One is a large Muscular African-American man in blue pants and shirt. His face is grey, almost white.

Beside him, is a man dressed in a flashy suit and has a pale face and green hair.

Beside him is a woman in a business shirt and skirt with ripped stockings. She also has a pale face and green hair in a bun.

The last is an elderly man who looked normal.

'These must be the people who weren't registered and are starting to turn into the Joker. Hopefully we can get the cure from Henry there.' Naruto thought before seeing Batgirl at the computer talking to Henry who sat on a bed before lying down having it slid inside an M.R.I.

Lagoon Boy was keeping an eye on the others as he sat down on a chair. "The information you requested is on the computer. It doesn't look good." Batgirl said glancing back to them. As Batman went to the computer, Naruto saw one of Freeze's grenades on a table before walking to it and took a belt full of them.

Getting another, he walked to Batman where a map of the city came up and showed satellites and a large missile launcher and a came up with the plan of taking out the drone that controlled everything and take out the launcher.

Founder's Island Construction Site October 31, 21:45 EST.

Naruto landed in front of a computer after he and Batman took out seven Cobra Tanks and got a card to hack drones and sentry guns for the Hacker. "I hate the Knight for bringing those in!" Naruto yelled as Batman came up and typed on the computer and had the Batmobile jump across the a bridge to the next building.

Naruto looked down and saw the large missile launcher and shields come up. "She's here." Naruto said before they went up to the ceiling vents. The Knight came in with a group of men before she spoke to Scarecrow. Suddenly, the duo dropped down and took out all but one tall muscular man and Naruto went to grab the Knight.

Having her do the same as Batman took out the man. "Who are you?" He grunted out before she spoke.

"Uh-uh-uh. Too early for that, Kage."

She said before dropping a smoke bomb. Batman lowered the shield and attacked the launcher before seeing the Bat-Jet fly past them.

"Alfred, I'm calling the Jet to look for the Cloudburst. Upload the results to the clock tower when we have a result." Alfred nodded before Naruto spoke.

"I got the last trial from the Riddler. Let's get the girls while we wait for the Jet."

Miagami Island; Orphanage October 31, 21:55 EST.

Naruto and Batman walked out of the last room with a newly freed Cheshire and Catwoman. The two Cat-themed women jumped up to the exit and opened the door. Only for the Riddler in a large bot to attack and throw them back down to the lower floor.

Riddler brought out more robots to fight the four people and created a shield around him, generated by the metal floor. Naruto attacked with Cheshire as Batman fought with Catwoman before they took out the bots. "ENOUGH!"

Naruto saw the Riddler take down the shield before being hit with several E.M.P. arrows and shut down his suit. Naruto brought Riddler out before knocking him out. Going outside, Naruto hefted Riddler over his shoulder before being kissed by Cheshire as Catwoman did the same with Batman.

Later, Naruto flashed inside the G.C.P.D. with the Riddler. "Well, riddle me this! Who's green, proud, and ass-kicked all over?" Aaron asked as Naruto walked to him.

"How exceedingly droll. I won't be needing a lawyer, you jumped-up security guard! I will represent myself!"

Riddler said before Naruto put Riddler in with the others. Naruto saw an African-American man, in a firefighter uniform inside as well.

'Too bad he helped Firefly to make the fires around the city the past few months. His heart might've been in the right place, but he went about it the wrong way.' Naruto thought as he gained memories of his clone getting the Chief.

"Kage, I found another cache." Naruto heard Nightwing over his earpiece.

"Got it, I'll meet you and Frost there when I follow the van to it."

Founders Island; Construction Building October 31, 21:03 EST.

Naruto Dropped in front of an entrance under the building the blimps are tethered to before seeing a man guarding the door above him. Naruto jumped up and slammed his head on the railing before going in and saw five men holding rifles before going in vent. He went down and came out on the other side of a wall to the two men away from the others.

He put an explosive tag on the wall and went back in the vent. Going to the other group, Naruto jumped up and knocked them out as the wall exploded and knocked out the other two. Naruto saw a vent near the ceiling and went up. Going through it, he came up on a grated floor above a group of Penguin's men.

'Sometimes this feels really repetitive. I hope they don't make a game out of this whole night.' Naruto thought before dropping down and quickly took out five men just as Frost and Nightwing came through a plywood door and helped Naruto take out the others. Once doing so, Naruto went to the vault and threw explosive tags around the room.

He closed the door and the guns exploded before Nightwing spoke.

"I can imagine Penguin's not too happy with us now. He must only have a couple of these caches left." Nightwing said as Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, keep a look out for them." He said before walking out the door.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss the look on his face for anything."

Bleake Island; Clock Tower October 31, 21:10 EST.

Naruto dropped down into the tower where he saw Jade laying on one of the fold out couches with Frost sitting on a chair. Batman dropped down and walked up to the computer as the screens came up. "Alfred, pull up the footage of the Batwing onboard scanner."

Alfred came up on the screen beside the map. "Of course, sir." Footage of the Bat-Jet's route came up before Alfred continued. "There's still no sign of the cloudburst. I will let you know if and when the situation changes. Hold on, there's a call coming from the movie studio."

Henry came up on-screen with some blood dripping down his forehead. "The movie studio's under attack! Batgirl and Lagoon Boy are in trouble." He was suddenly hit with a bat.

"That's enough from you!"

Naruto saw Harley come up on the screen wearing a black corset showing off her cleavage, choker, white puffy shirt, and tight pants with untied boots.

"Harley." Naruto said before Harley looked to them.

"Well, look who's too late to save the day. How's that going? It's been awhile." She said before Batman narrowed his eyes.

"Harley Quinn!" She smiled at that.

"So you do remember me! How dare you keep puddin's 'kin' locked away?!"

Naruto groaned at that. 'How the hell did he find out?' He thought before Batman turned off the call.

(Flashback End.)

Naruto smiled before reaching for something in a drawer and went to his daughter's room before knocking. "Girls? I've got something for you." He opened the door and held out two fox plushies that looked old.

"Good news! I found your plushies!" He threw them to his daughter's before closing the door, invading two pillows.

"DAD~!" They whined as Naruto laughed before turning into Talia.

"Hello, beloved." Naruto smiled as she was nude.

"Hello, darling." He picked her up by the ass and had her wrap her legs around him and went into his room.

Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse March 6, 08:16 EDT.

Naruto groaned awake the following morning as he woke between the nude forms of M'gann and Zatanna. "Morning." M'gann said as Zatanna leaned up on her side, breasts in front of Naruto's face.

"Morning." He greeted kissing them. Zatanna smiled before moving over to sit on Naruto.

"Ready for another round?" Naruto smirked before blinking as she went to the confused M'gann and moved her so only her head and shoulders were on the bed. "Come and get her."

Mount Justice March 9, 14:13 EDT.

The Team, including Fury, looked at the three time travelers before Nightwing spoke up. "Alright. We know your codename, Grifter. But you're the only one that hasn't given us your real name." Troia nodded at that.

"Yeah, can you give it to us?"

Grifter shrugged before replying. "Sure. My first name is Piss and my last name is Off."

Everyone on the Team gains a deadpan look at that response. Elder Naruto just rolls his eyes at that.

"Grifter's identity must remain confidential. All I can tell you is he's someone I'd trust with my life, as I do with Bart. So please trust him."

Nightwing looks over to their Naruto and states, "You haven't let us down yet. So, I doubt the future you would come all this way to end up breaking that streak."

Naruto smiles in appreciation, with Artemis moving beside him, wrapping her arms around his.

Palo Alto March 19, 08:12 PDT.

Wally sat on the couch with his dog watching G. Gordon Godfrey on the TV about the launch at cape Canaveral.

"Next on 'Godfrey's Bonehead List', the launch of Ferris Aircraft Earth-Mars Communication Satellite." Gordon walked in front of the screen showing the Rocket with 'Live Marche 19 11:12 EDT' on it. That's right folks, it's not enough that we've been invaded by aliens."

"Now we're going out of our way to contact them!"

Wally shut the TV off and looked to see Stephanie in jeans, purple shirt, black boots and a duffle bag.

"I don't like this." Stephanie snorted at him.

"Hey, if I remember, you were in the yellow and red a few weeks ago." He looked down at that.

"That was an emergency, I was needed."

She nodded at that. "And I'm needed now."

Wally glared at that. "He shouldn't need you. He knows we're trying to leave that life behind."

"Yeah, I do." They looked to see Naruto walking in the door.

"This decision was hard for me, Wally. But Stephanie's the best one for the job. I wouldn't have asked her to help protect the launch if we weren't short-handed at the moment. Mary has school, Robin's helping Nightwing in Gotham to keep up the façade that Batman's still there."

"Meg... is off doing something, Donna is helping around, showing that Wonder Woman is still here. But M'gann and Superboy will recon from the Bio-Ship, and Lagoon Boy will patrol the water. Artemis will help, as will Starfire. She'll be glad to see, 'the friend, Stephanie'."

"Screw you, Naruto!" He heard Star over his earpiece.

"Oh, come on, Kori, it's funny! I mean you kissed a guy to learn Japanese and you spoke it perfectly! Dick must be a bad kisser!" Naruto said before having Stephanie walk out after giving Wally a kiss.

"Promise me." Naruto looked back to Wally who grabbed his arm. "Promise me nothing will happen to her."

Naruto smiled at that before walking away, hand in his pockets. "I promise nothing will happen to her."

Cape Canaveral March 19, 21:22 EDT.

Kage was giving Spoiler C.P.R. as Nightwing, Artemis, Superboy, Starfire, and Miss Martian watched. "28, 29, 30." Naruto counted as he compressed her bloody chest before moving to perform mouth-to-mouth. After a moment, he sighed before leaning back up. "She's dead."

Mount Justice March 19, 11:42 EDT.

Ten Hours Earlier.

Kage with his hood down stood with Nightwing in front of Mal and Superboy with a picture of Impulse, and the real Roy in a hospital.

"They're both going to wind up our responsibility, aren't they?" Mal asked as Nightwing looked at the picture.

"Not necessarily, Mal, Impulse is staying with the Garricks and Speedy, the real Roy is recuperating at Royal Memorial Hospital in Star City. He's being watched by Arrows Green and Red."

"Yeah, they're both going to wind up our responsibility." Mal said as Superboy looked to him.

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

Naruto sighed at that. "Little progress." He said before a plate of crab cakes floated in front of him.

Naruto blinked before seeing Miss Martian walk in. Shrugging, Naruto took one and ate it.

"Recognized: Artemis, B01, Spoiler, B12."

The two women walked through the tunnel having Miss Martian fly to them. As well as Starfire. "Hey, friend Starfire." Spoiler greeted with an eye smile.

A tick mark appeared on Starfire's head at that before glancing to Naruto who was eating the crab cakes. She swore he had a halo above him. "What? It's not like I paid her 100 dollars to do that. What do you take me for?" He said as the others ran to greet the two retired heroes.

"Okay, guys. Mission is to safeguard the launch of the Earth-Mars Com-Sat. There are people out there that don't like the idea of aliens and will do anything to scrap this mission." Nightwing grabbed Star's hand at that as Artemis put one on M'gann shoulder.

"That's why we came back." She said having Spoiler nod.

"So why are you and Nightwing here?" Naruto shrugged at that.

"To help."

Cape Canaveral March 19, 20:59 EDT.

Kage stood beside Carol Ferris and Martian Manhunter at the Press Conference. Up above, is Wonder Woman and Superman hovering. "And we are officially at T-Minus one hour and counting before launch. We do have time for questions." Carol said as the reporters raised their hands.

"Yes, Ms.- Godfrey." She said to Cat Grant only for G. Gordon Godfrey to step in front of her.

"Ms. Ferris, maybe I'm not the only one drinking the 'Space-Cola'." Naruto raised an eyebrow at that.

"Really? I thought you were the only one who was."

Ignoring him, Godfrey continued his question.

"But has anyone bothered to ask whether Earth wants more communication with aliens?" Carol looked at them for a second before answering.

"Our Galaxy contains billions of stars. But Earth and Mars are warmed by the same sun. The Martians aren't aliens, they're our neighbors."

"So that's the plan? To borrow a cup of Martian Sugar?! While our World is being invaded!"

Godfrey said as Martian Manhunter took the mike.

"If I may. All the more reason both worlds should stand together. This satellite is a new spirit of cooperation between sister planets."

"The beginning of an alliance that can protect us all." He stepped back and let Carol continue.

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

Martian Manhunter flew up as Kage shot a grapple arrow up and disappeared.

Up above, Martian Manhunter turned into Miss Martian as Wonder Woman fazed out and Superboy groaned as a tether pulled him to the Bio-Ship. "I hate monkey suits."

Kage, Nightwing, Starfire, Artemis, And Spoiler.

The group is on a tower near the satellite rocket acting as lookouts. "If there's no attack, at least we have a nice view." Artemis said before Naruto put a hand to his ear.

"Miss M, set up the link." After a second, she spoke telepathically.

"Link established."

Naruto nodded before giving out orders.

"Good, you three do an aerial sweep. Lagoon Boy, search underwater since you're the only one who can. Let us know if you see anything wrong."

Just outside in the waters, Black Manta's sub dropped off a platform with his men redying missiles to shoot the rocket.

Up with the lookouts, night fell before Naruto spoke. "I know I'm not Wally's favorite person right now. But it means a lot that you came." Spoiler nodded as she reached for her staff.

"He's worried that I'll get addicted to the rush." Naruto snorted at that.

"If that was true, I wouldn't have brought you back. Sure the rush is what drove us to do it at first. But the courage to lay down our lives to save others, to stop injustice. That's why I brought you back. You're willing to lay down on the wire to let your comrades crawl over."

Artemis elbowed him at that. "You got that from the Avengers movie we watched last night."

Naruto shrugged at that. "It's a good movie."

Suddenly, Lagoon Boy spoke up. "I see a platform of some kind with Manta's men. I'll engage." Naruto shook his head at that.

"Negative, wait for backup." He said before Superboy spoke up.

"I'll get a rebreather and help the rookie."

Naruto heard Lagoon Boy growl at that.

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

Naruto looked out at the waters before speaking. "La'Gann! Stand Down! That's an order!"

"Sorry, you're breaking up!" He said creating static.

"There's no static on the mental link! Damn it, La'Gann!" Suddenly, Manta's men came out of the water. "MOVE!" Naruto yelled shooting a line down to the ground. He, Artemis, Spoiler, and Nightwing zip lined down using their weapons as Starfire flew down.

They hid behind the blast shield and Naruto popped up to shoot several arrows as Starfire shot a beam out of her hands.

"Superboy, how are we looking on the rebreathers?" Naruto asked Superboy who sounded annoyed as he answered.

"None, La'Gann didn't restock."

"Great. Miss M, gill up and help Lagoon Boy. Superboy, take the helm. We need cover fire." Naruto ordered firing another arrow out.

"Roger."

Naruto saw Miss Martian drop out of a hole in her mermaid form before Starfire shot another beam out of her hands.

"Can't get worse than this." Spoiler said before Naruto pointed to the wall.

"Wanna bet?" He asked looking at a sign.

'Warning: Extreme Fire Danger. Blast Area.'

The Bio-Ship shot the men and missiles that shot out of the water before Naruto spoke. "Jump!" He yelled as he and Artemis shot flare arrows to blind the men. They jumped out and attacked the men around them as the rocket started to get ready to take off. Suddenly, Kaldur, without his helmet, walked out of the water having the Team look at him.

"They took La'Gann!" They heard Miss Martian speak before Superboy spoke.

"Priorities are the missiles! There are too many. I can't keep up!" Suddenly, the missiles stopped as the group stared at Kaldur.

"You don't have to do this, Kaldur!" Spoiler yelled at him.

"I believe I do!"

He brought his handles down and brought a tower of water up to them that transformed into a piranha's head. The water engulfed them as the rocket took off. Kaldur shot a small missile from his shoulder up to the rocket before both Naruto and Artemis shot an arrow up.

The head flew off and hit the missile and it blew up. "Spoiler, behind you!" Nightwing yelled as he and Starfire attacked Kaldur who made mallets. Kaldur reached in his belt and threw a chip on Starfire that shocked her into unconsciousness and took out Nightwing by kicking him away.

Spoiler ran to him, only for Kaldur to knock her staff out of her hand and stabbed her in the chest with his water sword. She gasped as Kaldur leaned up to her ear. "Welcome back." He pulled the sword out as Naruto ran and caught her.

"Spoiler!" He put pressure on her chest as blood seeped out.

BOOM!

The rocket suddenly exploded as Naruto started to give Spoiler C.P.R. as the others ran to him. "I.. I don't hear her heartbeat." Superboy said as Naruto counted.

"28, 29, 30." He started giving her mouth-to-mouth. He stopped trying to see if she started breathing on her own before sighing.

"She's dead."

Atlantic Ocean March 20, 00:00 EDT.

Kaldur's sub went up into Manta's larger one before walking out as two men dragged an unconscious Lagoon Boy. "Congratulations, Kaldur'ahm. You've had quite the day. Capturing the Atlantean, killing a former teammate, and destroying the Com-Sat." Kaldur sighed at that.

"No, it exploded on its own. Our victory was mere luck." Manta looked at his son before speaking.

"No, I had a bomb smuggled on board that would explode once reaching a certain height." Kaldur looked up in shock.

"Then why have me go?!" Manta put a hand on Kaldur's shoulder.

"To see if you'd take the credit. It was your final test to see if you were ready." Kaldur glanced to the hand before looking back.

"And if I'd succeeded?"

Manta brought his hand back. "Then another test would have come up. It's not through success where a character's true self is revealed. But through our failings."

He took his helmet off before finishing. "I'm proud of you, my son. You've made it to the next level."

Mount Justice March 20, 3:58 EDT.

The Team minus Naruto and Nightwing sat in mourning of losing Spoiler. Mal and Karen walked to Superboy who stood in between Meg and Donna. "We'll find La'Gann, and Aqualad." Mal looked around before speaking.

"Where's Kage and Nightwing?"

Superboy sighed at that. "They went to tell Wally."

Blüdhaven March 20, 4:00 EDT.

Kage and Nightwing sat on crates in a building by the docks. Nightwing was looking at the photo he took of Stephanie's first day at Gotham Academy. "We'll laugh about this someday." They heard something clatter before walking out to the other crates. "Wally?" Nightwing asked before hearing another voice.

"No." They turned to see Kaldur walk out of the shadows before Wally walked out behind him. A woman with a hood walked out as well before removing the hood revealing she's Stephanie. Naruto walked up remembering Kaldur faked stabbing her as Stephanie took a pill that stopped her heart for a moment.

And him breaking a blood pill to cover her 'wound'. "I take it our ruse was successful?" Kaldur asked as Naruto spoke.

"Yes, the Team's in mourning. They may never forgive us." He finished as Kaldur looked to the others.

"So, only the five of us know?"

Nightwing nodded before speaking.

"This, and that you're not a traitor, but deep undercover? Yes. How'd it go on your end?" Kaldur sighed before speaking.

"Also successful. I've proven my loyalty to my biological father. He is moving me up the ladder. Bringing me closer to the Light, and their unknown partner."

"Not without a cost, Kaldur. The Com-Sat wasn't supposed to be destroyed. And La'Gann wasn't supposed to be captured. And I know this isn't easy for you either. Choosing between your friends and helping our enemies. Like with the Kroloteans on Malina Island." Naruto said crossing his arms.

"So what now?" Stephanie asked as Naruto picked up a choker with a yellow gem on it. He put it on her getting Wally to raise an eyebrow.

"Dude, why are you putting bling on my 'dead' girlfriend?"

Naruto looked to him before speaking. "She said she always wanted one."

"Wally, I didn't want you to find out this way-OW!" Naruto yelled as Stephanie kicked him in the knee. "Okay, okay! Zatanna made this Glamour Charm. It'll hide your features to everyone but us." He said as her reflection on a puddle showed black hair and a slightly different face.

"Same for the voice, you'll sound deeper to everyone but us as well." Naruto finished as she spoke up.

"How'd you get her to agree to this without asking questions?" She asked getting Naruto to grin.

"Took all night and we enjoyed every last minute of it."

They walked outside where Stephanie and Kaldur went to his sub and left. "Hopefully, that was the hard part." Naruto said before leaving.

"No, the hard part's just started." Wally said walking the other way.

To Be Continued.