Never underestimate your work load. It's been more than a month since the last chapter. Remember when I said it'd only take a week to finish? Well, I was fucken wrong!
The Cloak: Part 2
M'gann woke up to the sound of Hatsune Miku's synthetic singing voice next to her bed, groaning as she shuts the voice off. As much as she liked the character, M'gann regretted buying the singing alarm clock. It started getting annoying after a while.
She got out of bed, stretched her white clawed arms in the air while yawning, her sharp teeth on display for no one to see. The perks of living alone. After using her tail to casually fix her bed sheets, M'gann walked to the bathroom. M'gann scratched her bald head while her gray pupil less eyes tried to focus on her own reflection. Looking over her true White Martian form, she felt pleased with herself. Like her Green cousins, M'gann was very tall and rather lanky in appearance; though in a muscular way. She was in top physical condition thanks to her soldier training, after all.
The White Martian's more savage nature in comparison to their green cousins was in part due to the Whites developing into a more carnivorous race; which is somewhat evident in M'gann's three clawed hands and two clawed feet. The Whites had apparently been quadrupedal hunters at one point in their history, the tail came in handy for that, one would assume.
After scrutinizing her true form, she changed into her Japanese alter ego, Megan Mizaki. "Cute. But nothing beats the original." For all her complaints about home, M'gann didn't really hate being a White Martian. She hated the White Martian society that left her alienated, friendless, and alone for most of her life; but her actual species she didn't mind.
After showering, Megan changed into her Burger Planet uniform and left her apartment. It's been almost a year since M'gann arrived on Earth, and it's been the happiest year of her life. It was still a bit rocky at first, especially before she obtained most of the standard documentation required for her to live and work in this country. But she had managed to carve out a life for herself.
She stayed at Burger Planet, obviously. It was a good job and she took pride in doing it. All of Megan's co-workers seemed to like her. All the free fries that she could sneak during her shifts didn't exactly hurt either. And beyond that, the pay was pretty decent. She wasn't exactly wealthy, but it was enough for her to live comfortably.
Thanks to rent-to-own places, garage sales, and flea markets M'gann was able to furnish her apartment to her liking, it wasn't as nice as Manny's place, but she liked it. She remained fascinated with anime, but also got into things like video games, sci-fi movies and TV shows (Even if they tended to get things wrong about space travel) and other "nerdy" things as Wally called them. She had since learned the term "Otaku" and declared herself as such to Wally on numerous occasions.
And yes, she and Wally stayed friends throughout the year. While Wally's initial flirtatious behavior was fairly apparent when they first met, M'gann didn't think much of it. Fortunately one of the benefits of having a having a media centric lifestyle, like that of an otaku, Megan quickly became very genre savvy, and was able to spot the "Love-sick Best Friend" trope a mile away.
Not wanting her life to become a romantic comedy, Megan confronted Wally on his feeling for her and made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that they weren't gonna happen. Wally acted petulant and sulky for a few days (Weeks actually) but he did eventually came around. Megan knew that it was risking her friendship with her first real, official friend; but she also knew it would have been a bigger risk to just let Wally continue thinking he had a chance with her. Eventually, the whole thing blew over and the two became closer friends.
After work was nothing special. Megan usually headed straight home after her shift, unless she decided to spend an hour or two at Wally's. Megan got to know a few of her neighbors in the year since she moved into her apartment but generally kept to herself. Lucy was the only person she made a connection with outside of passing pleasantries. Megan and Lucy would often talk about whatever's going on in each other's live, with Lucy often giving Megan advice on certain problems the younger woman is facing. (Even though M'gann is actually a few decades older than Lucy) Lucy was actually the one to encourage Megan to confront Wally about his feelings for her.
Once in the solitude of her apartment, depending on how her day went, she'd either be so tired she'd revert to her true Martian form as soon as the door closed, or she'd stay as Megan for a while longer. She'd make she self a plate of fries, (She had her fridge stuffed with the friggin' things) and sit down to watch the latest episode of whatever TV show she was currently obsessed with.
For an alien invader trying to learn the secrets of the people she intends to conquer, M'gann had a really ordinary Earth life. And she loved every second of it.
One morning, M'gann had just shifted into her human disguise as she made breakfast; one of her favorite K-Pop bands playing in the background. She was reading the morning paper when an article caught her attention. "Superman assists in dismantling of nuclear arms!"
While Megan hadn't learned much about Earth's defenses, one thing she knew about for sure was the Justice League of America. Mostly because everyone knew about the Justice League. They are considered the greatest defenders of the planet, and M'gann began to hope that her fellow White Martians' invasion plans would fail because of them.
Unfortunately she seemed to underestimate her people's ingenuity. During the last year, M'gann noticed certain changes in the way Earth's governments operated. Defensive measures and policies were lessened or thrown out altogether; political figures disappeared for days or months at a time only to return sometime later with entirely different policies and agendas. And worst of all, some JLA members were backing these changes. Not officially since the League apparently needed to remain neutral in political matter. However, the article about Superman, a major figure in the League, aiding one such policy is proof some of them support these changes.
This wouldn't be such a bad thing, if M'gann wasn't sure the ones behind these changes were the White Martians.
Her former comrades had been very effective in their infiltration missions apparently. They had wormed their way into most of the world super powers and held a lot of political power where it matter. She wasn't sure, but it was possible the leader of at least one major country had been replaced by a Martian shifter.
M'gann wasn't sure what she should do. The Justice League fought off alien invasions for a living, but they seem to falling for the White Martian's lies. Could she really just sit back, let things play out and have faith the Earth's heroes will figure things out in time? Maybe she should try contacting them? But she's just some random girl, would they believe her? She could reveal herself as a White Martian, but that might just make her seem more suspicious.
And besides that they have a Green Martian on their team. There's no way he'd listen to her after the war between the two races. It's more likely he'd take her head off before she got say anything.
"What do I do?" She sighed, setting the paper down. She couldn't stand up to her former comrades by herself, she couldn't warn anyone without revealing who she is; all M'gann could do is wait and pray for her people to fail.
A few days later, Megan was working her usual shift like she wasn't fully aware that an alien invasion she was a part of is nearing its completion. Still, she had a job to do. Orders to take, burgers to grill, all that. A new costumer steps up to the counter and Megan gives the standard greeting she could recite in her sleep by now, "Hello! Welcome to Burger Planet! May I interest you in our out of this world Angus Combo meal?"
Megan's usually bright smile dimmed slightly when the customer, a young man that looked utterly ordinary (Slightly pale skin, short brown hair, black tee-shirt, blue jeans) gave her an unsettling smirk. "I'd actually like something a little different." Like a few answers, M'gann.
M'gann's eyes widened when she heard the voice in her head. The young man was telepathic. More importantly, he was a White Martian. I...Who...? Focusing her mind for a second, M'gann was able to see past the young man's disguise. At'ton? Is that you?
So you do remember your friends, M'gann. He looked at her with an angry, sadistic glint in her eyes that made M'gann take a step back. Outside, five minutes. "Y'know," He said, talking out loud once again, "I think I should head somewhere else. Just doesn't seem like the right place for me."
As At'ton walked out the door, M'gann couldn't do anything but stare at him with well-deserved fear in her eyes. "Megan?" One of Megan's co-workers, a plump girl with short brown hair named Elle snapped her out of her panic attack. "Are you alright? Who was that guy?"
Megan was about to answer when a rude costumer yelled. "Hey! What's the hold up!? I wanna order already!"
"I'm sorry, sir. Someone will be with you in a moment. Excuse me..."
"Megan..."
"I'm fine, Elle. I'm just taking my break." Megan said walking into the kitchens to get someone to take her place at the register.
She walked out into the alley in back of the restaurant and waited a few minutes until At'ton phased through the ground. M'gann took a few steps away from him when he solidified. At'ton smiled at her, an evil glint in his eye. What's wrong, M'gann? You seem scared. And I thought we were friends.
You almost blew my head off during basic training. She mentally shot back, trying to hide how scared she was. Everyone ridiculed her because she was seen as weak, but At'ton seemed to take a unique sense of sadistic joy out of tormenting her. Nearly shooting her in the head was the only the time he almost killed her, but he caused more injuries to her than anything else before, during, or after training.
Come now. We had some fun back home, didn't we? At'ton said as he began circling her like a shark ready to rip her to pieces. Like that time I broke one of your arms during that sparing match? Or that great prank I played on you the day before our graduation; when I shifted into a Vakorian Serpent, hid in your foot locker and bite you when you opened it. You still got the scar? M'gann subconsciously moved a hand to her left shoulder, while a sick grin found itself on At'ton's face.
What do you want, At'ton? M'gann wanted him to just leave her alone. If the White Martians wanted her dead for deserting her mission, fine, but sending At'ton of all people was just cruel...Which is probably why they did it.
The grin on At'ton's face dissolved, replaced by a look of disgust, No one likes you, y'know. Everyone was sure you would be the first one killed in this mission. M'gann just rolled her eyes. Was that really why he was here? To tell her stuff she already knew? The most pathetic soldier the White Martian race has ever known. Haven't you ever wondered why YOU out of anyone else were place on the scouting mission?
If you screwed up, which was pretty much a foregone conclusion, we could have used it. Imagine it: "Shape-shifting invader found!" Think of the ways we could have manipulated these weak minded apes with something like that. Sabotaging their already pathetic defensive measures, spreading misinformation, causing panic.
He chuckled slowly and stood in front of M'gann, but then you did something better: You disappeared.
M'gann looked at him confused. She had always wondered why the invasion fleet had sent her on the scouting mission considering how little faith they had in her. Using that lack of faith in their favor made sense, she supposed. But the invasion seemed to be going fine as far as she could tell, so how did her disappearing help?
When you didn't report in, we all just assumed you somehow managed to get yourself killed. But no announcement of your death. No "Dead alien found in dirty alley" headlines. So we had to go about things a bit differently. Thankfully, we had the Justice League. If we couldn't conquer these people with fear and disorder...We'd do it through security.
So, you made everyone think they were safe with the Justice League. To lower their defenses.
At'ton snaps his fingers, Exactly, He smiles at her again. You're not as stupid as we all thought. And thanks to you not even being able to live of the low expectations of a sacrificial lamb, you managed to hand this planet to us. Thank you. He said as he hugged M'gann. She had always wanted a hug from one of her people, but this...was just wrong.
M'gann pushed him off her and backed away some more. So then, you're not here to kill me?
Oh, don't worry, M'gann. We will kill you. But, we're going to have some fun with you first.
I didn't think our commanders even knew what fun was.
At'ton smirked, you're different, M'gann. There's something in your eyes now. Hope, maybe? He turns away from M'gann and starts walking towards a wall. Just makes what's about to happen all the more entertaining. He walks through the wall, leaving M'gann alone in the alley.
Megan returned to work, more than a little raddled. At'ton was the model White Martian soldier because of his sadism and ruthlessness. Whatever his idea of fun was, it was more than likely going to involve pain on her end. A lot of it.
Everything At'ton put her through back on Vega II would be nothing compared to what he had planned now. He said my hope would make things more entertaining. That can't be good.
A week or so passed since At'ton threatened M'gann, and she was slowly becoming more and more paranoid. She started scanning every mind she came across just to make sure they weren't a White Martian trying to do something. She was having trouble sleeping, both because of her fears and because she kept scanning the area around her apartment for brainwaves she didn't recognize.
It got so bad Wally, Elle, and her manager, Dominic, all asked if something was scaring her. It didn't help that Elle had seen M'gann's initial reaction to At'ton. Anyone could have seen the fear she displayed when At'ton left and she returned after her break clear as day, not to mention all the mistakes she began making at work.
She just said the Anton (She had to give them a name that didn't sound alien) was an old relationship that ended badly. Wally suggested she get a restraining order against him, and considering his uncle Berry worked for the police it shouldn't be that hard. Megan just cryptically said it wouldn't help.
And it wouldn't. Not only could At'ton change his appearance at will, he knew almost everything about her. What's truly sad is that At'ton is probably the closest thing M'gann had to a friend back home. If only because he willingly spent the most time with her. Sure almost every second of that time was spent tormenting her, but in the end he still knew her better than her own parents.
But what really terrified her was that At'ton had an entire week to ruin M'gann's life; and nothing. She hadn't sensed him or any other White Martians for the past seven day. Sitting on the knowledge that one of the most sadistic soldiers in her regiment wanted to hurt her for the past seven days was driving her nuts. It made her want him to attack her just to get it over with.
After a while, and still no attack, Dominic called Megan into his office. "Look, Dominic, I know I've been making a lot of mistakes lately, but-"
"No 'buts', Megan." Dominic softly interrupted. "Whatever's going on with you and this Anton guy, it is clearly affecting your work. I think you need some time off. At least a week or two, to sort things out."
Megan wanted to argue, to say that she's just fine...But she just didn't have the energy. Keeping an eye out for At'ton, knowing the invasion could start any day, and being powerless to stop either had taken a bigger toll on M'gann than she'd like to admit.
She just nodded, "Alright, yeah. I think that might be for the best." She left the office and went to the employee lounge to get her stuff and leave.
Elle walked in to start her shift and noticed Megan preparing to leave, "Hey, Megan. I though you we're working a full shift today."
"I was...I just..." She sighed and leaned against a closed locker, sliding down until she hit the floor. "I'm so tired. I don't know what to do..."
Elle pulled a chair in front of Megan and sat down, "Is this about Anton?"
"Yes...Kinda...Not...Entirely..." She sighed again, running a hand through her hair. Megan closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to sort through her thoughts.
Elle seemed to be thinking hard herself as she hadn't said anything herself. However, Megan spoke before she could, "Elle...If you knew something was going to happen...Something bad...But you weren't sure how to actually stop it; what would you do?"
Elle looked at her friend for a second before thinking about the question, "How bad are talking here?"
"A lot of innocent people getting hurt bad."
The Earth girl thought for a second more before shrugging, "I'd try to stop it anyway."
Megan looked up with a surprised expression, "You would?"
Elle nodded. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Alright, look. I'm about to tell you something kind of embarrassing. So don't tell anyone, alright?" Megan just nodded. "Alright, well...When I was younger, sometimes I'd tie a towel around my neck and jump around my living room pretending I'm Superman."
The confession brought the first real smile to Megan in almost a month. "I don't think it's that embarrassing. Little kids do stuff like that all - Wait...Superman's only been around for like eight years. Aren't you like twenty?"
"Twenty-two. I was sixteen when I did that." Elle explained with a heavy blush.
"Okay that is embarrassing. Not sure what it has to do this my question though."
Elle took another breath, "I think some people get the idea that, with guys like Superman and Wonder Woman around; normal people like us can just sit back and let them take care of everything. But for me, they're more like...inspirations. If you have the opportunity to do the right thing, you should. Even if you might mess something up."
Normal people like us...But she wasn't a normal person. She could do more than Elle could ever dream of doing. But she was so weak compared to her fellow White Martians; she might as well be a normal human.
"I'll think about that, Elle. But I should probably head-" A loud rumble cut Megan off as the ground shook slightly.
"The hell was that?" Elle asked starting to worry.
"No..." Megan ran out of the room and towards the front as another rumble, louder this time, shook the restaurant once again. She looked out one of the windows to see a building toppling over as a large alien craft slowly flew over the city, firing on random structures in its path. "Nononono..."
"Oh my god..." Elle whispered next to Megan as smaller ships broke away from the larger one continuing the assault on the city.
They sent a flag ship. I can't believe they sent a flag ship to Central city. Is it because of me? Because I betrayed them? Oh god...All these people...They're all going to die because of me. White Martian troopers were deployed on the ground as the Air Force entered into a hideously one-sided aerial battle with the invading army.
"Okay everyone!" Dominic tried to get the patrons and employee's attention as everyone in the restaurant began to freak out. "W-we need t-to remain calm! I'm sure the Flash can handle this and everything will be just fine." The clear crack in his voice showed just how scared he was despite he words.
"Are you freaking kidding me!?" someone in the crowd yelled, "Flash is awesome and everything, but how in Christ's name is he supposed to deal with that!?" he pointed out the window as White Martians swarmed the streets, gunning down police, military and civilians alike. The sight caused more people to panic and ignore Dominic's attempts to keep everyone calm.
Elle had dragged Megan behind the counter as the other girl had gone into some kind of catatonic state. "Okay, okay...Megan, I'm sure everything will be fine. Remember what I said about superheroes and inspiration? Well this is where it comes from. Them saving our asses from...stuff like that..." She said while looking out the window as an alien fighter buzzed the building, followed by another explosion.
Megan began rocking back and forth in the fetal position mutter to herself, "My fault, it's all my fault. Didn't help...Could have done...My fault..."
"Megan, come on, how is this your fault?"
"Didn't warn anyone...I should have warned someone, but I was too scared. I'm a coward." Megan began crying as she curled up into a ball and continued beating herself up for not doing anything to stop the invasion.
"Wait, Megan, is this what you were just talking about? The thing that was going to get a lot of people hurt? How did you know about an alien attack?"
Megan pulled at her long red hair as a life time of pain, insecurity and inadequacy issues suddenly boiled to the surface, "I should have tried! I should have done something!" As she descended into incoherent sobbing her shape-shifting powers began to break down as well. Megan shifted to various people she had met, but the forms blended and mashed into each other in a strange quagmire of human anatomy. "Everyone's going to die because I was too pathetic to do anything!"
Megan's body finally reverted and settled on her true Martian form, and Elle couldn't help but notice that her friend looked a lot like the aliens tearing the city apart. "M-Megan? What's going on?"
M'gann looked at Elle, the foreign white face and dull gray eyes not changing the fact that this was Megan Mizaki. I'm so sorry, Elle. M'gann's voice echoed in Elle's head, sounding so broken and distressed, I'm sorry I couldn't stop this.
Before Elle could say anything to comfort her friend, the front doors exploded out as three White Martians walked into the building. Hands up, humans! We've come to this miserable establishment looking for someone, and once we've found her we'll kill all of you. The Martian leading the group spoke into the minds of everyone in the room.
At'ton, don't you think you should have said we'd let them live once we find M'gann. So maybe they'd hand her over? One of At'ton's followers asked.
Oh, we've been lying to these people for over a year now. Don't you think it's about time we were honest with them?
"Wow, what an asshole." Elle turned to M'gann who had shrunk down to a third of her original size. "So, they said they're looking for someone named M'gann...That's you isn't it?" M'gann just nodded her head. "So you're one of them?" The Martian girl nodded again. "Okay, so...Trying to stop an alien invasion is a bit more than I thought you would have had to deal with. But y'know what, I stick by what I said earlier. You can still try to stop this; even if you mess up, you still gotta try."
You don't understand, Elle. I can't stop them. I'm weak and pathetic and if I did try I'd probably just get everyone killed.
Okay M'gann, At'ton's mental voice got the two girls' attention, and noticed one of the White Martians holding a young girl with a laser gun to her head. You chose these people over your own, so here's the deal: If you don't come out into the open now, we'll start killing every human in the building until we find you. But if you show yourself, we might let them go free. Well they won't be free, but at least they won't be dead, so there's that.
"Oh, my god what an asshole."
I have to hand myself over.
"What?"
At'ton said he'd let everyone live if I came out. If I can at least keep the people here safe, then it's the least I can do.
Elle grabs M'gann by the shoulders to keep her from standing up, "Okay Megan, I just met this guy and I'm pretty sure he's not only not stable but almost certainly lying right now. Now, I'm going to say this because you're my friend and I love you; you have without a doubt the lowest self-esteem of any living being I have ever met. You have superpowers, for god's sake. If I were you, I'd run out there guns, or whatever you have, blazing."
Elle...
"Megan, you are literally the only person in this room who can do anything to these guys. We're all going to die anyway, so you might as well give it a shot because we have nothing to lose at this point.
M'gann had to admit, Elle did have a point. There was no way At'ton would let anyone in this room leave alive. Once he was done with her, he just slaughter everyone else; or more likely At'ton would somehow immobilize M'gann and make her watch while he kills everyone. Elle was right, she had to do something.
Saying she had low self-esteem is an understatement. She was always so afraid of failing she rarely took many risks. The biggest risk was refusing to follow through with her scouting mission, but even then she did nothing to stop the invasion. She didn't think she could do anything. How was one person supposed to stop alien invasion, even if they were once part of it?
But if she did nothing...What would happen to Elle? To Wally? To everyone she's grown to care about over the last year? Could she really just sit back and allow this amazing, wonderfully flawed planet be subjugated just because she's a coward?
No. I can't. She thought to herself with a determined look in her eyes. She turned to her friend, Elle, stay down and stay hidden. Okay?
"Okay!" She said, already pumped for Megan to be awesome, "What are you gonna do?"
Something really stupid. Megan said, as she phased through the floor. Elle just took a breath, and silently preyed that whatever Megan had planned would work out.
At'ton swept his eyes the restaurant and his captives one last time, she's not coming out. And here I thought the coward cared about these humans. He nodded to the Martian holding the girl with a rifle to her head.
Before he could pull the trigger, the gun flew out of his hands. At'ton smirked, about time. Everyone's attention turned to the front of the counter as a form rose through the floor. Though no one expected what appeared to be a young female Green Martian. She wore what looked like a combination of the Martian Manhunter's costume and a Japanese Sailor Fuku uniform. The top consisted of a short sleeve dark blue blouse with the Martian Manhunter signature red X across the chest, with a lighter blue collar extended into a cape that came down to her knees. A belt with a golden buckle connected the blouse to the pleated skirt of the same color which comes down to her mid-thigh, and complimented with a pair of knee-high black stockings and loafers.
Her face looked more or less the same as Megan Mizaki's, same freckles, same red hair, same large eyes; but her eyes changed from green to red, and her skin the same hue as a Green Martian.
The three invaders, so caught off guard by a Green Martian appearing, took a moment too long to register M'gann firing heat from her eyes. The "Martian Vision" is supposed to be more of a last resort kinda thing for the White Martians, if they ran out of ammo or their weapons jam, as it takes more personal energy than any of the their other abilities. Making M'gann using it yet another thing that took the invaders by surprise. The Martian holding the little girl was slammed into a wall by the M'gann's initial attack and rendered unconscious. She flew forward and grabbed the girl, phasing through the floor to get her to safety.
When she didn't appear again, At'ton and his remaining underling fan out to find her. As he stood in front of a frightened woman, she heard a gentle feminine voice in her head, Excuse me, miss? The woman gasped in shock, looking around for the source of the voice, don't worry ma'am. Everything's okay. I just need you to move a little to the left. And don't say anything out loud, just think it. Okay?
O-okay? She did as the voice asked and moved until she was right behind the Martian, like this?
Perfect! Just then the two tables the Martian was standing between smashed into him. M'gann then flew through the ceiling grabbed the Martian by the head, and slammed it into the ground as she phased through it; leaving At'ton alone. Thanks! She said to the woman telepathically.
Uh...No problem?
At'ton grimaced as he looked around, needing only one opportunity to put M'gann out of her misery. I should have expected these coward's tactics, M'gann! He quickly scanned the surrounding minds, seeking any trace of M'gann's human disguise. He finally found a woman with knowledge of both M'gann's new green and human forms. He moves quickly behind the counter and pulls Elle to her feet. Alright M'gann! I know this human in particular means something to you! Come out of hiding or I'll rip her head off. At'ton punctuated the treat be gripping Elle's head in his massive claws.
All was quiet for a moment before M'gann phased through the floor in front of At'ton and Elle. Let her go, At'ton. This is between us. These people have nothing to do with it.
That's where you're wrong, M'gann. He said while tightening the hold on Elle, You betrayed our people for this planet. I'd say that makes them part of this as well. Y'know, I was planning on taking you alive, just so you could see me slaughter all these pathetic creatures. But now, I can't take that risk. At'ton points his rifle at M'gann.
Before he could pull the trigger, Elle used every ounce of strength and adrenaline she could summon to bring At'ton's arm to her mouth and bite down as hard as humanly possible. The weapon fell out of his hand and he roared in pain. As he back hands Elle away, M'gann fires her Martian Vision at At'ton. The invader counters with his own Martian Vision at the last second, the two beams of heat fighting for dominance.
After only a few seconds, M'gann realized she was in trouble. She had been forced in the one situation she didn't want to be in, a contest of strength with At'ton. He had always been stronger, and going by the sadistic smirk on his face, At'ton knew he had her.
M'gann was quickly losing ground against her enemy, so much so even Elle could see it. She looked around for something to help her friend, and spotted the fryers still going strong. She dashed over to one, grabbed one of the baskets full of burnt fries and tossed them on At'ton's leg.
The pain from the boiling oil forced At'ton's eyes closed; ending the struggle between him and M'gann, with M'gann's beams drilling right through At'ton's neck.
M'gann blinked as At'ton's headless body fell to the ground. "I-I didn't..." M'gann didn't have time to finish her thought when the whole restaurant erupted into cheers. The patrons all swarm the alien girl, giving her thanks and accolades, but the attention still made her blush.
"That was amazing!"
"Thank you, so much!"
"Were you in my head a minute ago?"
"So are you, like, Martian Manhunter's daughter or something?" The last person got everyone asking the same or similar questions.
"Oh...um, no. It's more like I'm his...niece? I guess?" Okay, it'd actually be more accurate to say she's his distant cousin, but these people didn't need to know she was a White Martian. "So, uh, if you'll excuse me..." M'gann floated off the ground and telekinetically lifted the two downed Martians as well. "I should take these two to the proper authorities."
She glanced at Elle smiling at her like she was the most amazing person on the planet. It brought a brilliant smile to M'gann's face as well, until she remembered At'ton lying behind the counter. "And someone should probably cover up, or move At- the dead Martian's body." A few patrons and employees moved to do as the alien hero instructed. "So, um...Bye!" M'gann phased through the ceiling, leaving the people to stay in the burger place in relative safety.
M'gann used a couple of discarded wires to tie the two White Martians up, in case they woke up before she could dump them somewhere. She flew over the devastated streets of Central City, the battle for the planet still going on, but no one really taking notice of the green girl flying through the air with two hostile soldiers floating behind her.
She then noticed something she wasn't at all surprised by; the super-fast hero Flash and his side kick Kid Flash, fighting off a group of Whites. Surprisingly, there was a third speedster helping them. She didn't know there was another Flash running around.
Figuring they would be the best people to hand the Martians over to, she waited until they had felled the last of the hostile forces before landing in front of they, "Uh...Hi..." The Flash takes a second to look M'gann up and down as his prodigies run up to them. The youngest speedster, a boy in his early teens with reddish brown hair, a yellow visor over his eyes, and white suit with a red design slightly resembling an arrow running down his chest, said to the others, "So, I'm not the only one seeing the green school girl with two Whites floating in the air behind her, am I?"
"No I defiantly see her too." Kid Flash said. M'gann heard that Kid Flash had retired some time before she came to Earth, but she guessed the threat of alien invasion was enough to get his to wear the suit again. The suit in question is what M'gann had always seen him in from the older photos and video with the Flash; a body suit like the Flash and the younger speedster, but only the legs were red, and the torso being yellow, with the Flash signature lightning bolts emblem on his chest. M'gann just noticed the youngest Flash didn't have the same emblem. Maybe he wasn't officially a Flash just yet.
"So who are you exactly?" The Flash asked, getting right to business.
"O-oh, um...Y-you can just call me M'gann. I uh...N-noticed these two attacking a Burger Planet a couple of blocks away from here. And, y'know...Stopped them."
"Wait, did you say Burger Planet?" They others turned Kid Flash, "Everyone's okay right? I mean, no one got hurt or anything?"
Kid Flash had taken off his red goggles and M'gann finally got a good look at his vibrant green eyes. Something about Kid Flash seemed familiar to her, but she didn't put too much though into it. "Uh, yeah. Everyone's fine. Don't worry."
The ginger speedster seemed extremely relieved by this, and M'gann got an idea on why but decided not to voice her suspicion. "Well, I also wanted to give you some valuable information. Have you been able to locate the White Martian's command ship?"
"Yeah, it's in the planet's upper stratosphere over Metropolis." The Flash explained, "But with the sheer number of enemy ships swarming the thing, I'm not sure even Superman could break through their defenses."
"You could if you had authorization." The alien girl said with a smile. The three Flashes perk up hearing this and M'gann continues, "Hijack a White Martian ship and use the code 4438906. That should get you on the command ship. If you can capture their leaders, the others will surrender. But I have to warn you, the authorization code might be out of date."
"Wow, useful." The young Flash said. "How'd you find that out?"
"I-" You'd really think M'gann would be a better liar by now, "Over heard them saying it." Said explained pointing to the Whites she brought with her.
"Wait, if you over heard these two saying the code, why would it be out of date?" The Flash asked rationally.
M'gann opened her mouth a few times trying to think up something she could say, but ended up drawing a blank. "Oh...With my heightened Martian hearing I can hear someone in danger, I must go now!" She nervously said while beginning to fly off.
The three Flashes watch the alien girl fly away mulling over the information they just heard. "She was kinda weird." Kid Flash said.
"Yeah, she was." The Flash commented.
"Cute though."
"That she was." The youngest Flash agreed. "So, Grandpa Berry, you think we should believe her?"
"First, don't call me grandpa, Bart." The Flash started, "And I should talk to J'onn about this before we take any major risks."
M'gann spent the rest of the invasion helping people fend off the White Martians throughout Central City. Eventually, news came that the Justice League had infiltrated the White Martian's command ship and forced them into surrender.
About two week have passed since the invasion ended. Reconstruction has begun, and the people of Earth have gone back to their usual lives; Megan included. The nightmare was finally over. M'gann could peacefully live on Earth without having to worry about her fellow Whites wiping everyone out or someone coming to lock her up. She had managed to help the Justice League defeat the White Martians and did so without having to reveal herself as White. Sure they thought another Green was flying around; but since M'gann had no intention of being a superhero she didn't think it'd be that big of a deal.
The damage done to Burger Planet was fairly negligible and the few repairs needed were completed quickly. Fortunately, most businesses in Central City (As well as most major cities with a resident superhero) have insurance policies for damages caused by either aliens or super villains. All of Burger Planet's employees got a week off from work with pay; the majority of that time she spent with Wally.
On her first day back at work, everything was just about the same, as if the world wasn't almost taken over by her own race. Then one costumer in particular came up to Megan's register. He was a tall black man, maybe a head taller than Megan, with a handsome chiseled face and broad frame wearing a long brown trench coat. After giving him the usual Burger Planet greeting, he just looked down at her with intense dark brown eyes. "U-um...Sir? If you're not going to order, I'll have to ask you to step aside. There are others waiting to order." The man just kept looking at her
He was really starting to freak out Megan, as well as Elle standing next to her and a few people behind him. The guy was immensely intimidating and that was the only reason no one had said anything to hurry him along. Just wanting him to go away, Megan reached into his mind to plant the idea to leave the restaurant. Only to be stopped by a deep voice in her head, I was wondering when you try to influence my mind. I did not expect a "Please", though.
Megan's eyes widened. You just...Wait. Are you-?
"I would like to speak with you, miss..." The man looks at her name tag before continuing, "...Mizaki. When will your shift be over?" he asked cordially.
"Uh...About five hour or so?"
He nodded, "Very well. I shall wait until then. In the meantime, I would like a number three meal. No onions."
"O...Kay. That will be $7.64." The man paid, waited patiently for his food, and then walked over to a secluded table. After finishing his meal he remained there, just sitting and waiting. He wasn't glaring at Megan, but he did seem to be watching her intently. However the way he watch her was utterly neutral, like she were a wild animal and he was observing her behavior for a paper he's writing. Occasionally, someone would walk over to him to tell him to leave only for them to walk away, claiming that no one was actually there. The man was definitely telepathic, Megan uses the same trick whenever Wally dragged her to a party and random drunk guys try to hit on her.
Finally, Megan's shift ended and as she got her stuff to go home, Elle asked her, "Hey, Megan. What's up with that dude that kept staring at you all day? I am getting some serious At'ton vibes from him, y'know?"
"Yes, I know. But I don't think you need to worry."
"Well, do you think he's another White Martian?"
Megan took a second to really consider the possibility before answering, "Actually, I think he's the Martian Manhunter." Elle was left speechless as Megan left to talk to the supposed superhero.
When Megan came to the front of the restaurant, he could see the man still sitting there. He hadn't move an inch since he sat down. Megan carefully sat across from him, not completely sure what to expect from this meeting.
"Are you ready to talk, Ms. Mizaki?" He asked when Megan got herself settled.
"I think you know that's not my real name." She said cautiously.
"Yes, I do." The level of stoic this guy can exude is staggering. "But I not know you real name. And I assume you are comfortable with being called Megan Mizaki. Am I correct?" She nodded, "Then for the time being, that is what I shall call you."
"Okay. So...Uh, what did you want to talk to me about?"
He just started at her for a moment, as if wondering if he should tell her whatever it is he's about to say; but eventually he begins, "I take it you have at least some idea of who I am. The name I carry on Earth, and ever perhaps the name I carried on Mars. But I doubt you know how I came to be on this planet."
Megan shook her head, but said nothing and allowed the Manhunter to continue. "Long after the conflict between the Green and White Martians was concluded; and the Whites were driven off of our home planet, a plague broke out amongst our people. A deadly pathogen even our most gifted doctors could not find a permanent cure for.
Around this time, an Earth scientist named Dr. Saul Erdel was experimenting with teleportation technology. An accident caused his device to malfunction, and in a bazaar twist of fate, brought me to Earth. Though initially surprised by my appearance, the kind doctor agreed to send me back to Mars if I became his assistant.
Unfortunately, Dr. Erdel was very old and died only a few months after I arrived. I was a solider, not a scientist, and even the primitive technologies of Earth at the time were beyond much of my comprehension. I could not complete the teleportation device on my own, and I have been stranded on this planet since the Earth year 1955."
Megan gave him a genuinely sympathetic look, "I'm so sorry. To be separated from your home for so long must have been difficult." Ever if she could really relate to the feeling, she did understand it. "But Earth has been able to travel to many planets in their star-system by now. Why haven't you returned to Mars yet?"
A pained look washed across the Manhunter's face, the first display of emotion he had shown since he arrived, "I did once." He took a moment to compose himself and returned to the stoic expression he had been sporting before. "Some thirty years after I came to Earth, the technology became available to travel to another planet. I had previously been affiliated with the superhero team known as the Justice Society, and had acquired many allies within the government. They allowed me to join the maiden voyage to Mars, to return to my home. I cannot express the unbridled joy I felt on that journey. To finally, after so many years, be able to see my home. My family.
But all happiness was dashed as soon as we landed. Mars was never the most fertile of planets, but it had never been so empty. So bleak. It was what I had always feared, but prayed was not true. The plague had wiped out the Green Martian race."
"Oh...I see." Megan understood what the Manhunter was trying to explain. He knew exactly what she was. She lowered her head in shame, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"That is surprising. I would think the Whites would hold a celebration to the death of the Greens." Megan was surprised to hear almost no hostility or resentment in his voice. Had the situation been reversed; had she been a Green and the Manhunter a White, he would be spouting every venomous word he could think of in both English and Martian.
"You aren't upset that I'm White?"
The Manhunter looked at her contemplatively for a moment, "Do you know who I am?"
Megan nodded, fairly certain of whom she was talking to, "You're J'onn J'onzz. You were a great warrior during the civil war."
"And you do not hate me for all of your kin I have killed?"
Megan thought about his question before answering, "Well, to be completely honest; if I had met you a year ago, I would have absolutely terrified of you." The Manhunter raised an eyebrow at that. "And don't get me wrong, I'm still pretty nervous. But I don't think I've ever really hated you or any of the Greens. The war happened so long ago, it didn't really affect me in anyway. I was born on Vega II, not Mars so I don't really feel like I missed anything. And it was a war. I'm sure my ancestors killed just as many of you kin as you did of mine."
"I see..." was all the Manhunter said.
"Um, Mr. Manhunter...If I could ask...?"
"Just J'onn, please."
"J'onn, how did you find me exactly?"
"I spent my first several years on Earth as a detective. I still practice in fact. I rationalized that it would be unlikely that three White Martians would randomly attack a fast food establishment only to be stop by a Green Martian appearing out of nowhere as the Flash informed me. Mostly for the fact that I am the last surviving Green Martian. I hypothesized that they had come to this place to find a White Martian that had gone rogue for some reason, using the guise of a Green to separate herself from the Whites, and to use the good will I have garnered for the Green race.
I made the assumption that the White Martian was hiding as an employee. I had little evidence to go on, but I figured it was the best place to start and I could formulate a more sound theory as the investigation continued. I eventually found an employee that had started in the last year with no prior work experience, no former address, no know social security number, and no birth records."
"Yeah, I guess if you dig deep enough, it would kinda obvious." Megan said slowly sinking into her seat.
"Not necessarily." J'onn began, "You could have simply been an illegal alien from another country, rather than another planet. That is way I came to day. To see for myself if you were a Martian or not. When you attempted to influence my mind, I knew my suspicions were correct."
Megan nodded silently, her eyes still down. "So...what happens now?"
"Despite aiding us during the White Martian invasion, you are still a member of a hostile alien race. And though I have come to believe you are no threat to the planet that is not entirely my decision to make." Megan lifted her head, looking at J'onn with uncertainty in her eyes.
"The U.N. council has given the Justice League the right to decide the fate of alien visitors we have discovered. If by majority vote, we allow you to stay on Earth, you will stay. However if we decide you are a danger the people of this world, you will be sent off the planet to fend for yourself. Do you understand, Megan?" Megan nodded again, "Very well. If you will please follow me..."
J'onn led Megan out of the restaurant and to an abandoned ally a few blocks away. "Um, J'onn? Where are we going?"
He stood in front of an old broken down payphone booth and turned to her, "This is a disguised Zeta tube. A teleportation system based on Dr. Erdel's experiments. This will take us to the Justice League Watchtower." He opened the booth punched a few numbers on a key pad on the phone, which opened a gateway for the two Martians to walk through.
However before they could, Megan felt a sudden pressure in her mind. She grabbed the side of the booth as J'onn helped steady her as the strange pressure past. "Are you alright, Megan?" The Manhunter asked genuine concern in his voice.
The young Martian stood straight, still holding her head, "Ugh...Yeah I think I'm fine. I just...Felt something."
"Like what? Some sort of psychic attack?"
"No, no...Nothing like that." Megan looked up to the nearby roof she felt the pressure from, but nothing was there. "It felt more like something pulling at me?" She glanced at J'onn who had an uncertain look. "Well, I'm actually really anxious right now. And it felt like someone was...I don't know...Sharing that anxiety."
J'onn placed a hand on his chin, contemplating what Megan just told her. "Do you feel this 'Pulling' now?"
She shook her head, "No, it was only for a second."
The Manhunter nodded, "We shall investigate this later; assuming all goes well. Now come, the others are waiting." Taking a deep breath, Megan follows the Manhunter into the Zeta Tube.
As the gate closes, a hooded figure walks out of the shadow she was hiding in. Connecting to the emotions of a telepath was risky. If she pulled to hard, the Martian could have found her. She was just lucky her magical skills could shield her from telepathy. She couldn't be discovered just yet, she wasn't ready. There was still much to do.
Stepping out of the Zeta Tube, Megan came face to face with the Earth's greatest heroes waiting for them. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman stood before them. Even without trying to, they looked every bit as intimidating as you think they would.
Megan takes a step back bumping into the Manhunter, who had shifted out of his human disguise and into his more publicly known form. Tall, muscular, ostensibly human in shape, bald head, with red pupil less eyes. The signature red X across his bare chest and a blue cape coming down to the back of his knees. He nudged Megan forward towards the League.
"Um, hi..." She said, nervously waving at the heroes.
"Yep this is defiantly the same girl." The Flash quipped.
"So this is Martian Manhunter's niece, huh?" Superman asked good heartedly. Apparently the lie she came up with in a moment of panic spread pretty quickly.
Megan scratches the back of her head, "I, uh...I can explain that."
"No need." Batman interrupted, "J'onn brought you here to see if you can be trusted to stay on Earth. So let get this over with." Megan withdrew into herself slightly at Batman's tone and scrutinizing gaze.
"I wouldn't be too spooked by Bats, kid." Green Lantern stated in a reassuring tone, "He's not exactly a people person." Batman just glares at him.
"If we may proceed." The Manhunter said, nodding to Wonder Woman.
The Amazon hero walked forward towards Megan, unlatching the golden lasso from her hip. "To discover your true intentions in living on Earth, we will have to use the Lasso of Truth in our interrogations." She calmly explained holding the lariat for the alien girl to see. "While in the lasso's embrace, you will be mystically forced to reveal only the truth. Is that understood?" Megan nodded, feeling far more at ease than when she first arrived.
Wonder Woman tied the lasso around Megan's wrist. The lariat began to glow and M'gann was forced to shift into her original White Martian form. Shocked, M'gann began to panic at her true self being revealed. "Clam yourself girl." Wonder Woman said, placing a gently hand on M'gann's shoulder, the girl now a few inches taller than the warrior woman. "The lasso burns away all deception. Even shape-shifting." She moves her hand to tenderly cup M'gann's cheek, "All is well." And just like that, any anxiety she were feeling melted away. The heroine turns to her team, indicating they are open to ask the Martian girl anything they want to know.
"Let's start with something basic," Batman said calmly, "What is your name and where do you come from?"
The lasso glows once again, I am M'gann M'orzz. I was born and raised on the second planet in the Vega system which the White Martians adopted as their home after being exiled from Mars.
"Why did you come to Earth?" Superman asked next.
M'gann looked down in shame as the golden lasso forced her to speak, I was part of the initial scouting party of the White Martian invasion. It was our job to find and exploit any weaknesses in Earth's defenses to make it easier for the invasion fleet and to eliminate any potential threats.
The League share worried glances with one another after hearing this new bit of information. All except J'onn, who continued to stand by the girl in solidarity. It seemed very little could turn his opinion of her.
Batman was the first to express his opinion, "It seems you did a good job, then. We very nearly lost this fight."
M'gann looked away from the dark hero, absent-mindedly picking at the rope around her wrist. "Don't forget, Batman," J'onn started clearly, "Megan was also the one to give us our victory over the White Martians. Without her we very possibly would have lost." M'gann smiled at the Manhunter.
"That's actually something I've been curious about. Why help us fight off you own people?" The Flash asked, not exactly accusatory but genuinely curious.
Well...I didn't have the best childhood on Vega II. I was an outcast and no one, not even my own parents respected or really cared about me. But when I came to Earth; and saw how different and warm and accepting its people were...I knew I couldn't go through with my mission.
This too got most of the League thinking. The lasso was still on her wrist and it was glowing, M'gann was telling the truth. "What information did you give your superiors before your change of heart?" Aquaman asked before anyone else.
None. The Atlantean ruler looked incredulously at her before she could continue, I came to the decision to abandon my mission before I could learn any useful information about Earth. I didn't even know about any of you at the time.
"So what have you been doing since you came to Earth?" Green Lantern asked.
Well, I've been working at Burger Planet for pretty much the entire time I've been on this planet.
"Yes we knew that from J'onn's investigation." Wonder Woman explained, "But what else. You must have done something other than working."
"Yeah, you're not Batman." Green Lantern joked.
Oh, u-uh...Well, I mean...I, uh... M'gann stumbled a bit, kind of embarrassed to admit that she was an Otaku. Really, how many people would willingly tell the Justice League of all people that they're a huge geek?
Wonder Woman tightened her grip on the lasso, causing it to glow slightly brighter, "Answer the question. The Lasso compels you."
Unable to hold the truth back any longer, M'gann blurted out, I spent pretty much the whole year watching anime!
The silent looks of surprise and confusion that over took the League would have been hysterical if M'gann weren't freaking the hell out right now. W-well, I-I mean it wasn't only anime. Although I did watch a lot of it. I really like Magical Girl anime. The Green Martian look I used kinda combined one of my favorite Magical Girl characters with the Martian Manhunter. I also like sort of sci-fi type shows, like Dr. Who. I started with the newer series then went back to the original. I think my favorite Doctor is 4. He just seemed really warm and kinda funny and...
"Alright, M'gann. I think that's enough." The Amazon said taking the Lasso from her wrist. She shifted back into her human form as soon as the magic of the lasso wore off.
"So, uh can we just pretend that stream of word vomit was because the lasso wouldn't let me shut up?"
Wonder Woman smiled softly at Megan, "As you wish."
Even the Manhunter's mouth twitched in a small smile. He turned to the others, "Well...?"
"Even I'm not suspicious of her anymore." Batman stated openly.
"Seconded." Superman voted.
"Aye." Aquaman raised his trident.
"Same here." Flash said.
"Anyone who likes the fourth Doctor is a friend of mine." Green Lantern said with a smile.
"I think it would be obvious where my decision lies." J'onn said calmly.
"As should mine." Wonder Woman stood next to Megan with a serene smile on her face; the young girl standing between the two heroes.
Nodding, Superman stepped forward, "Then I'd say it unanimous. Welcome to Earth M'gann M'rozz." The Man of Steel held out his hand.
Megan's face split into a thousand watt smile as she took it. "You can just call me Megan."
So now I can explain about Megan. And yeah this was easily the longest individual chapter in this story. I can promise you the others won't be nearly this long...Maybe...I really hope not.
Anyway, I took a lot of inspiration for this version of Megan from the Young Justice cartoon. I made up pretty much all the stuff about White Martian society, since I don't think we ever really learn that much about it in other media, and I thought it'd be fun to explore an alien race compared to Earth that we don't see that often. I just like the idea that all of Megan's best qualities are considered weaknesses in her own culture.
Miss Martian was kinda the character to get me to write this story in the first place. I wanted to try redesigning her costume and got the idea to make her costume look like a sailor fuku uniform. Why? I have no idea. But then I had to come up with a reason for her to make her costume look like that, and the answer was simple: Make her an Otaku! Everything else just kinda started to piece itself together after that. I also really wanted Megan to have some serious issues with her self-esteem like in Young Justice, and having all the other White Martians hating her seemed like a good way to go with it.
Is it obvious who the hooded chick is yet? Cause it should be by now. I wasn't being subtle about it.
Up next: The Lightning Bolt