Unbreakable Chapter 2
Happy Harbor Bumblebee cheerleaders were known for many things.
Being popular.
Being pretty.
Coming up with new, fantastic routines for every game they performed at.
However, there was still one unknown fact about them M'gann sometimes felt the people knew about. That unknown fact was Wendy Lee, a kind-hearted student known to classmates and friends alike, was incredibly fierce as a captain. M'gann didn't mean she was mean. She was anything but. But in practices, though she wasn't deliberately mean or degrading, she was intense.
In practices, everyone was expected to give a hundred and ten percent. And that was only the minimum average they should throw in. Everything, from every move and twirl to every jump and back flip had to be precise. Perfect. Wendy didn't expect anything less than that.
But if someone were to not throw in the minimal effort, all hell would break loose.
"For God's sake!" Wendy bellowed from the sidelines, watching the Bumblebees go through the same routine they've been working on for the past two hours. They weren't being sloppy, but as the day dwindled to late afternoon, the girls' exhaustion was shown through the lack of enthusiasm in their moves. That was something Wendy didn't like seeing. "Cut the music."
Marvin, the school's class clown and Wendy's good friend, clicked the pause button on the iPod deck, cutting off Beyoncé. He gave the cheerleaders a sympathetic look. At the sound of her yell, the Bumblebees broke out of position and waited to hear the newest verdict from their streaming captain.
"Guys, you're making this harder than it needs to be," Wendy didn't yell, but it was clear she was frustrated. "It's only dancing."
Karen rolled her eyes at M'gann, nodding her head at Wendy. The bold, outspoken girl clearly was offended. Karen was the team's choreographer, and a ten first-place champion in dance competitions. When someone would make a comment against dancing, such as degrading it or implying it didn't take much to do like Wendy, she easily got offended. "I think we both know that's not true, Miss Commando."
Wendy shot her a glare, then looked around at the other cheerleaders, who didn't bother hiding their exhaustion, and checked her watch for the time. It was a quarter to five. They still had a good half hour to make use of the field before they had to leave. She clapped her hands, bringing order back. "Alright, girls, let's try this one more time. And make it count; otherwise we're ending practice with suicide runs."
The girls groaned in protest, either shaking their heads or dropping them into their hands. M'gann didn't join in their groaning choir, but she did roll her eyes. Still, she and the girls got into their starting positions, waited for Marvin to play the music, and counted out the beats.
Oh well, she thought. No pain, no gain. Right?
Little over half an hour later, she found out she was wrong. Dead wrong. The man who came up with that expression wouldn't be so sure of his theory if he went through their practices. One hour with Wendy and he'd be eating his own words.
M'gann loved dancing. She loved the way the music gave her energy through the beats and melody, loved the way it never failed to lift her up whenever she was blue and how every problem easily slipped away with every song. She also loved being apart of a team, bonding with the other girls and making good friends with almost all of them. Still, though, as much as she loved it, her muscles were stiffly sore, close to cramping. Her clothes, slick with sweat, clung onto her skin and weighted down heavilly on her body. And it hurt to take in a quick breath.
But no one ever said cheerleading was easy.
She changed out of her practice outfit, a white tank top and light pink capri-pants. The hot shower she indulged herself after practice refreshed her mood, easing the tension of her aching body. After applying her favorite rose and chamomile body lotion, she changed into a lavender blouse with flowing, split sleeves she got from their Saturday mall trip. She paired the top with dark denim, flare-legged jeans and brown ankle boots.
Dressed and refreshed, she checked her reflection in the mirror. Thanks to practice, her cheeks definitely had color in them. Maybe a bit too much, but it was still color. She left her headband at the Cave and ran a brush through her mid-length hair. It was first time 'Megan' went to school with her hair loose from the headband, and so far everyone thought she looked good. Looking at her reflection, she had to agree it looked nice.
Wendy came over and placed her hand on her shoulder, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. Now that practice was over, she was back to being sweet and considerate Wendy. "Please tell me you don't hate me."
"I don't hate you," M'gann assured her. "My body's just…overly sore. Nothing a hot shower can't fix."
Karen shut her locker with a bump of her hip, and joined in the conversation. "Or a nice, warm bed, where I'll be crashing until tomorrow." Her smile was playful, but her dark eyes narrowed as they stared at Wendy. "Of course, it'd be better if our captain didn't always go Military general on our asses."
Wendy's smile almost resembled a smirk. "I wouldn't be so hard-core if our choreographer came up with easier moves."
Karen elbowed her, reminding Wendy about her goal to make the Bumblebees the best. You couldn't be the best if you did simple, easy moves anyone could pull off.
"So are you guys coming to the play?" M'gann asked. It was next Friday, and so far almost everyone plan to go. It was either because they were curious or wanting to see how long Wally would last onstage before Connor tore him off.
Wendy nodded. Karen said "Of course. I need to make sure my money is safe. I bet twenty bucks Connor's going to crack during the honeymoon scene."
Wendy shook her head. "No way. Definitely the first kiss. Connor's the definition of over protectiveness. By the time Wally leans in, Connor's going to have his ass."
M'gann could easily see it. Her and Wally onstage sneaking into a private corner, her trying to resist his charm while he comes closer to her. Them close to sealing the holy palmers' kiss with a kiss on their own. Then, out of nowhere, Connor dragged Wally offstage into the darkness of backstage, where people could hear Wally's screams and Connor's fists. She shook her to clear her mind, making a note to herself to bring a stash of kryptonite in case things went out of hand.
Saying bye to her friends and slipping on her jacket, she left her school and took a nice stroll through Happy Harbor. Being the late afternoon, the streets were quickly quiet and calm. It was very peaceful. She enjoyed moments like this, especially with the nice autumn winter they were in, feeling the nice wind play with her hair.
One of the things she loved about Earth was the changing weather. It went from sunny, to rainy, to snowy, and sometimes in between, rarely going in the same order. Things weren't like that back on Mars. There was only weather there, and that was cold. Not the snowy, but the freezing, negative-degree temperature cold enough freeze a heart. Here, on the earth, the weather was experiencing a transition period called fall, where all the leaves changed colors, the air was slightly colder, and everything looked pretty.
Soon, in less than a week, they would shift from November to December, preparing themselves for the festivities coming their way. Christmas, New Year's Eve, and then New Year's, not to mention all the decorating, shopping, and food-preparing that went along with them.
A soft beep from a car horn went off behind her. She quickly turned, believing it was trouble, and relaxed when she saw a familiar black Lexus pulling up beside her. The dark-tinted window rolled down, revealing a bald-headed, African-American man in his forties dressed in a dark suit.
M'gann recognized him instantly, even in his disguise. "Uncle John!"
The disguised Martian had little time to respond to her greeting before his very eager niece plummet him to the ground, embracing him tightly.
"I miss you." She hugged him tighter.
"And I have missed you as well, M'gann." His words came out in a wheezing manner; on the account M'gann's grip was extremely tight. He managed to free himself, and hugged her properly.
The two didn't get to see each other as often as they would like, with her uncle taking care of things up in the sky and her keeping things in order below. But once a week or so, her uncle pull away from duties to spend the afternoon with her, taking her out to lunch. Today, he treated her to Bertucci's.
M'gann deeply inhaled the fresh oven-baked bread, shivering in delight at the delicious smell. No matter how many times her uncle brought her to the restaurant, she never got tired of their amazing food. She shoved it into her mouth, swallowing it down whole, and then licked the butter out the package, into her mouth, moaning again in pleasure.
Before she could grab bread roll, her uncle grabbed hold of her hand. "M'gann, manners." He reminded her.
She realized several people were staring at her. A rush of warmth spread to her cheeks, turning them bright red in embarrassment. She smiled sheepishly, and ate her roll the proper way.
I can't help it, she said telepathically. It's delicious.
Nevertheless, you have to remember your manners and be polite, he answered back.
You're beginning to sound like father more and more everyday, uncle.
Her uncle nodded his head slightly, acknowledging the remark, smiling as he sipped his black coffee. It was the only thing he drank on Earth other than water. "There's another reason I decided to take you out for lunch. I have something for you."
He pulled out three packages wrapped in shining purple gift-wrap and handed them over to her. M'gann didn't need to read his mind to know they were books. Books and clothes were usually gifts her uncle gave her when she had a successful mission, did well in school, and or was given good feedback. Clothes, though, were a bit trickier for him to get since he was a still uncertain about women's clothing despite him being here longer, so he relied on Black Canary and Artemis's help to get the right thing for her. Books were much easier because M'gann read pretty much anything and everything.
The first book was a soft black paperback titled in purple, gothic glossy lettering Beautiful Creatures. The second one featured a picture of a beautiful, brunette girl in a flowing white dress, the words Shatter Me imprinted near her feet. The third book was like the second one in a way. A beautiful girl was featured on the cover, but she wore a crimson-colored dress that had a medieval feel to it, and carried a cross-bow that reminded her of Artemis. The book was called Grave Mercy.
She read the flops tucked in the books and the back covers to get a good idea of them. So far, she could tell she was going to like them. "Thanks, Uncle John."
Their waiter came back with their refills and orders, setting down a plate of pasta and black coffee for her uncle and Coke and pepperoni pizza for her. "Please let me know if there's anything else you need."
"We will," Her uncle waited till he was gone from sight before continuing his conversation with M'gann. "The books are a gesture to express how proud I am of you. I received good reports from your teachers."
During lunch, her uncle told her about the strange silence going on. In the past three weeks, things have not been quiet in Happy Harbor, but around the world and also in the galaxy. No threats, no trouble, and not even a single act of criminal activity. Some of the Justice League members were lowering their guards a bit to enjoy themselves the free time, but most, like Batman, refused to believe in coincidences. He felt something was coming, something big. Her uncle expressed the same concerns.
"Uncle, why don't you just enjoy yourselves? If things are quiet, then maybe that means the bad guys are taking a break themselves. You guys should relax." M'gann said.
Her uncle smiled. He wasn't always on edge like Batman, but he never let anything pass by with a blind eye. "One can never be too careful, little one." He patted her head affectionately.
M'gann told what's been going on with her. Unlike the League, the Young Justice was easily enjoying themselves with the silence going on. Well, Kaldur didn't really decided to relax and still had his guard up, but Artemis kept his mind preoccupied with other things. She informed she was still doing her meditation exercise like he instructed. How things with the Bumblebees were a bit challenging, but she still enjoyed every bit of it. And told him how rehearsals were going great, and how closer Mr. Lloyd was coming to using Richard Blake, Wally's understudy, for the play.
Yesterday, they were going through the masquerade scene one more time. Romeo spotted Juliet dancing around with other men, catching their eyes. Then, while everyone else listened to the cellist play a beautifully tragic song on his cello, they sneaked away into a private corner to share their first kiss. They weren't allowed to kiss because the teacher wanted to preserve the magic for opening night, so they stuck with holding each other close. But Wally took it a step farther. He pressed M'gann's body a bit too close to his, and left a trail of kisses on her neck. Even though they were friends, M'gann still felt a bit uncomfortable.
Of course, Connor "accidently" elbowing the heavy pillar, which narrowly missed their heads, didn't make matters better. Mr. Lloyd was so close to closing it; smoke was bursting out of his ears.
Shaking her head, she said "I can only hope Wally will lay off him. Or least still be in one piece by Friday."
Her uncle gave her a knowing smile. He worked along side Kid's uncle, Flash, who was an older version of his nephew, so he understand how Flashes can be…overbearing half the time. "I'm sure the play will go well."
"You are coming right?" She wanted to make sure she had the right number of seats reversed for her guests. So far everyone in the team was going, Black Canary and Green Arrow, Flash, Batman, even Red Tornado going as his human alter ego, John Smith. It was going to be his first play.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." J'onn smiled, taking a sip of his coffee. Then he paused as a thought came to mind. "Exactly, how many kisses are going to be in this play?"
Oh dear Mars. That was one question she was hoping to avoid. "Well…"
"M'gann."
Ten, she told him subconsciously.
The elder Martin was still as a statue, his amber eyes boring into hers, their gaze steady as a chilled iciness frosted over them, his mouth drawn into a thin line. Care to explain.
"Mr. Lloyd made a few, slight changes to the play." she explained. By few, she meant a lot.
It was all thanks to his daughter, Mia, a perky junior in M'gann's English class. Like her dad, she was obsessed with theater and everything in it, but preferred being the one behind the scenes and directing. She thought the play was sorely lacking in romantic feel because of the shortage of kisses. Even though traditionally there were about three famous kiss scenes in the play, she convinced her dad to add more. Another one in the masquerade scene, few more exchanged for the balcony scene, a rather eager one for the wedding, few more in the morning after, and the last two for their final scenes. Altogether, it added into ten kisses.
Mr. Lloyd decided to take the romance even further. He had thrown in a honeymoon scene.
"A honeymoon scene!" Her uncle spoken the words so calmly, but anger was radiating from his tone.
"Not in the way you're thinking!" She knew what was going through his head. They were the same or similar to the thoughts she and the rest of the cast had when the teacher made the announcement. She remembered the eager thoughts pouring out of Wally's mind, and recalled how almost half the production crew had to hold Connor back from murdering him.
Mr. Lloyd broke down the scene for them. It wasn't going to be anything to over the top or risqué. He made the scene to be very suggestive and sweet. Soon after Lord Capulet and Paris discuss marriage plans, the curtains would be closed momentary for the crew to set the up Juliet's room and put up a dark background. When the curtains opened again, Juliet would be praying by her bedside and Romeo comes behind her, lightly touching her shoulder. She'd take her time looking into his eyes, silencing him with a single finger before he could said anything, and softly kiss his lips. The kiss would become more passionate, deepening as they pressed close against each other and fall onto her bed. While they were tangled in each other, Romeo would pull the covers over their heads, shutting the rest of the world out.
Reading it, M'gann was able to see it wasn't so bad. It was definitely suggestive, more than enough to give off the interception of what was to come, but at the same time it was innocent enough not to them in trouble. Her uncle, however, wasn't as convinced. He still wore a darkened scowl on his face.
"I wonder if my rifle has enough bullets." he murmured, innocently taking a sip of his coffee.
M'gann burst out a loud gasp that attracted the attention of nearby tables having their lunch and waiters walking around, their hands filled with orders. She looked away, ducking her head down, until they looked away from her. Once she was sure, she looked up at her uncle who calmly drank his coffee as if he didn't easily make a threat against her friend. "Uncle John, you are not bringing a rifle to the school play. I'll be expelled."
He shrugged indifferently. "I can home-school you."
M'gann groaned and dropped her head onto her table. She needed a minute to herself. She only lifted up again, slightly, as her uncle stroked her hair.
A soft smile appeared on his face. "I didn't mean to distress you." he said. "My apologizes. I'm only protective of you."
She wanted to stay mad at him, or be upset for a few more seconds. But her lips, being a traitor to her, curled up into a smile. She could never be mad at J'onn. Her uncle was strict most of the time, overprotective (especially when it came to her relationship with Connor), and sometimes stubborn, but never once did M'gann doubt how much he cared for her. How she was like a daughter to him just as he was a father to her.
"I knew." she said.
With that, J'onn decided to change the subject. "Is there anything else going on? Anything I can help with?"
She thought back to what happened in the dressing room at the Spot. The horrible headache that soon turned into some sort of daydream nightmare. How she was trapped in a swarm of fire trying to eat her alive. The pair of alluring hazel eyes that burnt bright like melted gold.
Again, she was hit by the strangest sensation of déjà vu from remembering them. How they looked, how they stared at her, how they called to her. They were so familiar to her, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
"M'gann," She met his gaze, and could tell by his expression he read some of her thoughts. "What happened?"
"I…" She stumbled with her words, unsure where exactly to begin. Or how to explain what happened to her. It was all so strange. And to make matters worse, she was forgetting parts of it. The more days passed by, the more her memory slipped away. The only thing she remembered clearly was the hazel eyes beckoning her to come closer.
"Tell me."
She told him as much as she could remember which wasn't much. By the time she was done, her usually unshakeable, composed uncle was just as baffled as her friends were.
"Very unusual." he finally said.
She told him her friends' theories, Wally believing it had to do with her race and Robin saying her powers might be the cause. "Could he be right?"
"Well," the word slowly rolled off his tongue as he thought about it. "You've always been a special girl, little one. From the moment you were born, you were destined for extraordinary things." He reached across the table for her chin, lifting it up slightly, and stroked her cheek. There was a wistful look in his eyes, almost like he was here but his mind was somewhere far away. "You both were."
M'gann sucked in a breath as if the wind was knocked out of her. Her chest felt so tight, and a hard lump was wedged in her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She knew it wasn't anything supernatural other than the supreme force of her emotions making their impact on her. Incredible grief slashed right across her heart, releasing a great ache deep within she tried to keep buried for so many years. Right after the sadness was a strong, almost desperate need. A need that was similar to longing yet very different. It was a need she couldn't put off but knew she couldn't have. The two emotions were entangled together, mangling with her heart at the mere reminder of what she lost.
The Martian was so caught in her grief; she didn't realize she was crying until she felt two lone tears drip down her face, burning hot. Her uncle tried to wipe away her tears, but she gently shook him off, not wanting him to touch it. She inhaled a shaky breath, struggling not to unleash the powerful tears, and let it out slowly as she willed herself to calm down.
I didn't mean to upset you. He handed her a napkin. She offered him a silent "thanks", wiped her eyes, and crumbled it in her fists.
You didn't upset me. She took in another breath, fighting against a burst of sobs trying to come out. She managed to stop herself from sobbing, but there was little she could do to stop the endless stream of hot tears from rolling down her cheeks. I just..I just...
"I miss her." she said in inaudible whisper.
J'onn wished there was something he could do or say to make his niece feel better. There was nothing he hated more than seeing M'gann, his little sunshine, so upset. But this was one matter that had no solution. There was little he could do other than let her cry, allow her to have her moment, and just hope a hug would offer some comfort to her afterward.