8134/Into the Shadows

Into the Shadows
Date of Scene:	06 October 2021
Location:	Observation Deck - Watchtower
Synopsis:	M'gann comes to the Watchtower with a request for Batman and leaves with the first test of her new training.
Cast of Characters:	M'gann M'orzz, Bruce Wayne

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M'gann M'orzz has posed:
Time has less meaning in space, the same day and night cycle simply doesn't exist without Earth's rotation. Beyond the walls of the Watchtower the expanse of the void seems endless broken only by the dotted with points of light from the various stars.

It is in this at times surreal environment of the Watchtower that M'gann walks now. There is purpose in her steps and a look of determination on her face as the door fwooshes open to admit the red haired and green skinned teenager to the observation deck.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There were some things considered too dangerous to be done on Earth. One such thing was an experiment with the remains of one of Darkseid's parademons - secured from the pit under New York and now suspended in stasis in one of the Watchtower's laboratories. The Batman had been examining it for what seemed like days now, taking in the intricacies of its biology as well as any potential weaknesses it may possess.

When a moment's break is needed, he finds himself on the observation deck. He enters silently, even his thoughts do not breach his confidence - hidden as they are beneath a specially-designed cowl and his own strength of will. When he announces himself, he is standing at M'gann's side with a mug of coffee clutched in his gloved hands.

"M'gann."

M'gann M'orzz has posed:
    The normally unsurprisable M'gann nearly jumps out of her skin when Batman suddenly appears next to her. It isn't so much fear, though Batman can be plenty intimidating, it is the genuine surprise of someone being able to get that close to her without her sensing their mind, something so rare for Martians that this is the first time she has experienced it since arriving on Earth.

After a moment, the shock passes and she regains her composure, though her breathing is still a faster than normal. If anything, this sort of thing is exactly the reason she is here, this superhuman feat of skill and ingenuity, skill being, for all of her powers, the thing she finds herself desperately lacking of late.

"Batman, you surprised me. Just the person I was looking for though." Not wasting any time she cuts straight to the chase, "I want you to train me."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
To M'gann's credit, Batman is taken aback by the request. It doesn't show in anything more than a slight raise of his eyebrow that is concealed by the cowl he wears. He doesn't say anything at first, lifting the mug to his lips and taking a silent sip of the brew within. Lowering it down, he stares at the blue-green globe of Earth turning slowly beneath them.

"What can I teach you that fire from your eyes, telepathy, and superhuman strength don't already accomplish?"

M'gann M'orzz has posed:
M'gann's expression hardens a bit as Batman lists off her powers, all the reasons she should be one of the strongest, most capable young heroes, but the reality has been different for her lately.

"Because they're useless." She says simply. "Or at least I can't seem to use them effectively. I've failed my team twice now. First Balm seemingly killed in a dream by a demon when I was supposed to be protecting her and then Red Robin getting taken and tortured when I was supposed to be covering him. The dream death was thankfully not permanent and we got Red Robin back in the end, but all the powers in the world are useless if I can't seem to actually protect anyone." She stops to take a breath because that was a lot.

"You don't rely on powers," M'gann continues looking back at Batman with a fierce determination. "It's one of the things you're famous for. Yet you confront and deal with incredibly powerful threats regularly. I don't lack power, you're right, I lack skill. I've never been the best at fighting or tactics, and I want to fix that. I want you to train me so that I can actually use these powers to help people and to protect my friends. Next time one of them could really die and it would be my fault."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"What you're saying is," Batman replies, turning his head slightly to look at her out of the corner of his eyes, "Is that powers don't mean anything without the mind to use them properly. I can face those dangers because I know what I can do as well as my own limitations. When you know your limitations, you can work to surpass them."

He turns to regard her fully now.

"If - and that is an 'if' - I were to do this. There are rules. The first of them is that you're not going to rely on your powers. Whatever we can do to remove them, or ensure you don't fall back on them? We will do it. You learn what it's like to be blind, deaf, anomic and how to fight in spite of it. Can you do that?"

M'gann M'orzz has posed:
M'gann's expression doesn't waver as batman outlines his terms. "I can." She states simply. "If relying on powers was working, I wouldn't be here. I can become nearly fully human save for still having the ability to shift back to a different shape. I already restrain my physical capabilities most of the time, it should not be difficult to do."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Come to me with a way to keep you from changing back," Batman offers, taking another sip of coffee, "When my backs against the wall, I don't have the luxury of turning into a demigod. You know where the cave is. When you bring me what I've asked for, your training can start."

M'gann M'orzz has posed:
M'gann stops and considers this challenge. It is something she never thought about, something she isn't even sure is possible. But she also knows a test when she sees one. She might not be quite the interstellar super genius Martian Manhunter is but her mind is still incredibly fast and she's far from dumb.

"I will find a way." She states with conviction, accepting the challenge. It will be tricky though, a way to shut her down is not exactly something she wants people knowing about, which limits the people she could ask for help. "Thank you." She adds, sincerely, behind her eyes is the nigh grateful emotion of the normally sweet girl who has been through the ringer of late. She won't fail her friends again.