Eclipso {Young Justice/Aqualight}

:00:

"This is crazy."

"So was investigating Cadmus all those years ago, but you had no objections to that."

"Oh come on! You bring that up every time-!"

"Richard," Kaldur placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder.

"The Light has always managed to be one step ahead of us. I don't like it either, but if I can convince my father that I feel betrayed by Aquaman, my parents, even the team, I can get inside. I can figure out the Light's plan, and perhaps we can finally defeat them."

"Or you could die trying," Nightwing said stiffly. He folded his arms, the slits in his domino mask narrowing. "What makes you think they'll be so quick to trust you? You've lead a team of their biggest usurpers for years!"

"I have done my research," Kaldur assured him, "I already know from years of fighting him that Black Manta is emotionally volatile,and he already wants me to leave my King. If I can convince him of my newfound hatred of Aquaman, then I will have his support and assistance in convincing the rest of The Light."

"How do you expect them to let him get that close?" Nightwing tried to sneer, but there was a hint of interest in his voice.

"Manta has worked with the Light for years. And with Ocean Master recently locked up for his failed attempt at a coup, Savage will be looking for his replacement."

"-And Manta's gonna do his best to take the latest seat on the Light."

The two men spun around in the darkened Bludhaven warehouse, a little less than surprised to see the woman standing in the doorway.

"I should have known it was you," Nightwing grumbled, pretending to be bitter.

"You know me, always where I'm not wanted." The woman sauntered forward confidently, stepping into the circle of light provided by the one lamp.

"Donna," Kaldur shook her hand, "It has been too long."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Troia smirked, throwing her dark locks back over her shoulder. "Did you miss me?"

"How much did you hear?" Rick sounded tired.

"Enough," she shook her head at the boy wonder, turning back to Kaldur.

"You have to be crazy if you think we'd let you go in-"

"Donna-"

"Alone. Let me finish next time," she scolded.

"What do you propose?" Nightwing sat on a nearby crate, leaning against a support column.

"Send someone in with Kaldur. Someone who can bail him out if he bites off more than he can chew."

"Artemis knows the criminal underworld better than anyone else on the team," Nightwing mused.

Donna glared at him. "Aren't she and Wally retired?"

Kaldur gave a small cough. "Were you, perhaps, speaking of someone on your team?"

Donna flashed him a smile, hands on her hips. "How could you tell?"

"How can we trust any of them? We don't even know them!" Nightwing said.

"That's because we're covert. The good kind of covert." She gave Rick a meaningful look that made both men blush with embarrassment.

"Who were you thinking of?" Kaldur changed the subject.

"My newest hero. It'd be impossible for the Light to have heard about her even if they'd been keeping tabs on my team. She's got some magic powers, and I was thinking of sending her to investigate Witch Boy specifically."

"And you came to us because you wanted help getting her under." Nightwing sounded smug.

"Not really. Grant can get her in, but he's got his own agenda. I wanted someone to go with her and help her out."

Kaldur nodded, "It seems that we can help each other."

Nightwing sighed. "Fine. Who is she?"

Donna handed him the flash drive that he eagerly plugged into his glove computer.

"Her name is Kiran," Donna said, "But she goes by Solstice."