2818/What lies in the Shadows Pt. 2

What lies in the Shadows Pt. 2
Date of Scene:	13 October 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Martian Manhunter, Shadowcat

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Martian Manhunter has posed:
"Katherine, there was something that you have mentioned to me in our previous conversation..." J'onn says, careful with how to broach this topic, "...where you were unsure of your ability to control yourself in certain situations." As he talks, Kitty can feel J'onn removing himself from her mind, and closing the link between them. "If you feel comfortable, I would like to address that now." J'onn looks around the Watchtower Gymnasium, "We can do that here, and now without any issue of others overhearing us. If you feel that there is something that may be violent that happens then we are also in the right place." He focuses his attention back to her, adding "I would like to understand and help you confront this potential issue throughout our training."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty moves, perhaps a little restlessly, around the room. The gym gives her room to pace, and when she has to talk about these things, some space is nice. "Not ... exactly what I said," she finally tells him. "Though I understand why you're thinking the way you are. I'm not afraid of my own control. I learned the hard way about three years ago what I'm capable of. I had a ... run-in. With being possessed -- well, really, I've had two of them." She rolls her eyes. "Let's handle the first one."

As she prowls the room, he might see why 'Shadowcat' suits her so well. "I was on a trip to Japan when it happened... I crossed paths with someone who was an enemy of my teammate Wolverine. He saw in me an opportunity to take someone Logan was training and turn them against him. He essentially mentally downloaded his skills into my brain and turned me into an assassin, then sent me after Wolverine." She pauses and smiles faintly, turning to look at him. "Amazing, what the power of love will do for one's ability to overcome such brainwashing and possession, isn't it? But... I do retain all of those skills."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"Understood." J'onn says in reply to Kitty's gentle rebuke on his interpretation of their conversation. J'onn stands with his hands behind his back, relaxed as Kitty decides how to approach the topic. "Control, then, is the wrong term to use." He seems as if he's about to say more, but instead waits and listens.

As she describes the incident, he returns her smile with one a bit broader than normal on his face. "There are individuals in the Galaxy that perform miracles with the Power of Love. I think the more you are exposed to the wider Universe the more you will appreciate how magical it truly is.." He nods his head once, thinking for a moment, "Do you feel the brainwashing and the possession has been wiped away completely? I am sure with the likes of your Professor Xavier and Jean Grey that they could help confirm if you have any suspicions."

Shadowcat has posed:
"I believe that Ogun's influence is gone, yes. Wolverine and I worked through it as I threw it off, and as you say... between the Professor and Jean, they verified that the taint was gone." Kitty nibbles the side of her lip. "What it did, however, is show me *how* to be that dark. But all beings have dark in them as well as light, and I choose the light."

Pulling in a deep breath, she turns to face him. "That said... my best friend was killed a couple of years ago. *She* had been kidnapped into a demon realm and overthrew the demon lord who ran the place. It's her realm. But when she was killed.... our bond was such that I inherited not only the demon realm but the artifact called the Soulsword. And *that* is something that is not gone. Magik is alive again, and ownership of the realm and its denizens have reverted to her. My link to the Soulsword is still one that is present in my core, though... and yes, I do occasionally worry what might happen should it become mine to wield again." She shrugs a little. "Just having it can make it extremely difficult *to* choose the light. But it sounds as if what you intend to teach me will help with that."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
J'onn nods once as he listens to the Kitty's tale of Ogun, and just the barest hint of what she has gone through. "You are extremely wise, Katherine. Everyone, every sentient being that has the ability to choose, has the capability to do Good or Evil in their own perception. This last piece is important, Good and Evil in their /own/ perception. I am not saying that we need to accept this perception, but it is vital to understand what drives sentients in order to see their motives and perhaps stop them if they conflict with our own Moral Code."

He stops as he again he focuses on listening to Kitty. This second story, though, is one that he does understand to some degree. Avoiding a Darkness inside you, something that could destroy you if you are not careful, "First, I am glad to hear that your friend has returned to you. True friendship is something as rare as Love, and I am very happy that you have that opportunity again." Now J'onn paces to his left as he thinks, "This Soulsword, do you feel the change in demeanor only when you wield it? I am only passing familiar with the dimension of Limbo, but I will scour the Justice League datastore to further my education to better understand how we approach this topic..." He stops then, and looks to Kitty, "...and this is a /we/, Katherine. I will be here to help support and guide you through the process."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty smiles slightly. They know more than they're letting on... because she never named Limbo. Nor did she think the name in her head. So they know who Magik is and what she is, too. It makes it easier in a way. "I'm always up for ways to train myself to be better, J'onn... or I wouldn't have taken you up on the offer. I ... don't know that I can do exactly what Manhunters do, but I do know that despite knowing there are whole other worlds and dimensions out there... this one is mine. And I'll defend it."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"I have no doubt that you will be an excellent apprentice." J'onn adds with a small smile. "Perhaps a bit of my history..." He takes a deep breath, preparing to touch a topic that has long since been dead, "...I will attempt to be succinct as we have spoken on some of this topic, and I will happily answer questions as you have them. Mars, perhaps a Million years ago or more, had Martians on it. My people were killed by one of my own, in fact my twin, and in order to do it he enacted the spirit of our planet. He performed dark blood magic on me, in particular, as a curse. He sacrificed seven other Manhunters in the hopes of consuming their power, but instead it was transferred to me. The planet of Mars was sentient, in a way, and would not abide by this atrocity. It required retribution that I was not able to fulfill, and in the process my twin enacted another curse on my people..."

Frowning, J'onn continues, "...since he had been banished, and removed his telepathic powers he used that punishment against us. He created a second curse that attacked the Martian people, and their connection to each other we referred to as The Great Voice. As each spoke to another with their telepathy the virus spread, and would set our minds and bodies aflame. I had to break my link to the Great Voice, severing myself from what it meant to be Martian, and watched my family die as the curse raged on..." He shakes his head, disappointment evident, "...I found my brother then, and killed him before he could escape to wreak havoc on the Galaxy. Mars was burning, and it in it's last act of generosity sent me away to another planet... this one."

Looking back to Kitty, he continues "There lives a Darkness with my Heart, knowing that perhaps in some way I was a part of the annihilation of my species and planet. For your Darkness, we can confront it, and you will /know/ you can make the choice that /you/ decide. Accepting that there is influence, but knowing you are capable of overcoming it. We will not actually link to the blade for now, but I would like to relive some of those memories with you. As you feel more confident in your ability to control those darker emotions, then we will confront the link and Soulsword itself. What do you think?"

Shadowcat has posed:
"I'm not even sure I *can* call it to me or anything like that. I just know that it's there. I figure, based on what happened before, it is something that would only happen in the darkest conditions. If Magik ... was gone again. But yes, I'll share my memories of the time, if it will help you train me better." She pauses. "This is a lot less physical training than I think I was expecting," she adds with a grin.

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"Then it is good we visit the topic now, as we do not want to address the situation when you have the stress of a truly dark episode." J'onn replies, as he does the room around them begins to shift, and two seats rise out of the floor near them. J'onn motions for her to take one first, "There will be plenty of physical training, Katherine." J'onn gives a small knowing smile, "But much of the training is mental preparation and acceptance of who and what we are as an entity. Only through true self discovery will we be able to accept our responsibilities."

Once she is seated, J'onn reaches out a mental link, and waits for Kitty to accept it. He speaks aloud still, "You will build a mental landscape from your memories of the Soulsword, and the time that you connected to it. I will guide you through the process, but it will be your activity. Once there, we will relive some of these darker thoughts. This will be difficult, but I will be with you. Let us begin."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty moves to sit in the chair he provides.... and then she shakes her head. Instead she moves to sit on the floor of the gym, crossing her legs and settling into a meditative pose. It's just more comfortable for her when she has to think through these memories. "It isn't as difficult as you think," she tells him quietly. "I know who and what I am, J'onn. But I'll show you so that you understand." His mental touch is light, and she begins ....

Inside her head, the landscape is created from her memory -- not the hellish one that he might expect, but an unfamiliar dimension just the same. Dark skies, light brown sand -- more like the desert at night than anything else. Her own mental image of herself is pretty similar to her actual physical form, and in front of the two of them is the brilliant Soulsword hanging in the darkness. "This is what it looks like - but it's not the thing that actually causes my fear. It's simply a magical sword. It is what the sword -- and responsibilities it brings with it -- brought out in me that was the problem." She shows him her memories of those times as ruler of Limbo. She wasn't there very long, but between the demons of that realm and the possession that she had already suffered under Ogun, what the memories do is offer him a view of Kitty herself. She knows what darkness looks like, she knows what she is capable of... she merely worries that she'll someday come up against yet another challenge of a similar nature that will turn her into her own worst potential outcome -- the demonic assassin.

Martian Manhunter has posed:
J'onn considers her words as she explains, and he begins to understand that Kitty has experiences that far outstrip her age. He begins to change his thoughts on the approach, realizing that perhaps he has been coming across as a bit condescending even though it would never be his intention. As the mental connection is made he will send her his thoughts on the topic, knowing her owes her as much, since he promised a transparency in their partnership.

Once he is standing in her landscape she can tell that it was not what J'onn expected. "This is what the dimension of Limbo looks like?" J'onn asks, his interest peaked at seeing a place for the first time, "and the Soulsword." He moves slowly about the mindscape, listening as he takes in every detail she shares with him, "You have faced diversity of the like that few in this World has ever experienced. It does change how we should proceed, and allows us to move quickly through these beginning stages.

Shadowcat has posed:
"No," Kitty replies in her head. "I didn't want to dump us there immediately. I needed a moment to center." The landscape around them shifts so that he can see her memories of Limbo itself. It's ... pretty much almost exactly what many people think of as Hell. And now he'll see the full impact of this place on the young woman. Things she did, things she saw done. All the good and the bad. Through the course of allowing him this walk-through of her memories, she shows him the last mental battle between herself and Ogun, along with Logan's role and how his challenges and support of her through her own have shaped the young woman sitting here.

Martian Manhunter has posed:
Now this is what J'onn had expected, but even being ready there is something visceral that cannot be prepared for until you experience a place like Limbo. J'onn watches, experiences, and considers all that is shared with him. Kitty can tell that he considers all that is shown to him, good and bad, but none of it causes him pause. "Katherine, I see the strength you have, and you recognize it in yourself. Know that I also see that strength in you. I also believe that whatever challenges may come up that it is something you are more than capable of handling."

He steps out of the mindscape she has created, then he develops a mindscape of his own, a vision of Mars before it was destroyed. Billions of Martians, advanced technology, ships and floating buildings like she has seen in some of the most amazing Sci-Fi movies. The mindscape moves quickly, shifting to a specific building that houses a giant bonfire in it's center.

She can feel a true fear from J'onn for the first time. The fire is the source of his fear, but he stands in front of it without flinching. "We have spoken of Fears. Within the Green Martians, we have a Fear of the Flame. We all realize it is psychosomatic, but it still controls us. We Manhunters must stand, and face the Flame. We never rid ourselves of this Fear, but we learn to accept it so that it does not freeze us like it would other Green Martians." He looks back to Kitty, the fire near him, and concern in his eyes even though it is a mental construct. "I draw Strength from Friends like you do, because Friendship is one of the most powerful forces in this Universe."

Shadowcat has posed:
The young woman is quiet as he pulls back. He may have been formal and underestimated what she's seen, but he doesn't get the impression that she feels terribly condescended to. Kitty has a very pragmatic understanding of how unique her own situation is.

As he shares his own story with her, she pays attention to all of it, taking in the wonders that his world held. Thre is a sense of awe about her as she watches, but when he speaks of his own fears and where he finds his strength, she moves within the mental landscape to stand beside him. "They are my home," she tells him simply. And it explains her reluctance to move away from the Westchester area -- at least for now.

"When you approached me to work with you, you said you sensed fear. I'm frightened of plenty of things... but they taught me that it's not about not being afraid. It's what you do with the fear that matters. And although I know that I have weaknesses that can be exploited, so does everyone. You deal with it as it comes and you trust those around you to help where they can."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
He stands before the fire next to Kitty for a few moments longer. Her presence, she can tell, allows J'onn to draw strength to stand before this most Primal of Fears. "Your Home..." J'onn starts, then decides on "Your Family shows the wisdom I would expect from the stories and personal experience I have had with them. At some point I would like to see and meet them in an event that is not life threatening."

The mindscape slowly disappears, and the two are back in the Watchtower, "True, you are the first I have taken on to work with in such a manner. I allowed your youth to blind my view of your experiences. These weaknesses we will work on, while they may never become strengths, we will make it so that an enemy usage of them has minimal impact to you."

He stands, and adds "Much of what we will do will be limited to the two of us as in time you will act on your own. Working within a team is important, but as Protectors of this Planet we may be in situations that we must Decide and Act on Our own." He offers her a hand, "What questions do you have? Today we have talked about many different topics, and I want to make sure I am not missing something that you still have questions about."

Shadowcat has posed:
When they return themselves to the Watchtower gym, Kitty pulls in a deep breath and lets it out slowly before opening her eyes. She smiles and takes his hand, gracefully standing from her cross-legged position. "Nothing right now... You've given me things about yourself that I want to consider as well. Learning to do what you've said you'd like to -- training to become for Earth what you are -- is something I believe at this time I do want to pursue. But I needed you to understand... that you're not starting from the beginning. It does change the way that we interact and the way we work." She can already see the difference in the way he's speaking to her. "I am never able to express to someone else just how much I'm *not* a 19-year-old," she offers with a bit of a smile and a roll of her eyes. "My body is 19. But I'm pretty sure in experience years I've gotta be, like, 152."

She nods to him. "Thank you for sharing your own experiences and fears with me, J'onn. As I learn more about the role you're teaching me and you learn more about how my abilities work, I'm sure there will be questions. But for today... I think I need to get home." Excitement lights up her face. "I have to get ready for the video meeting with STAR. I'm looking forward to working with them again, and I *really* appreciate that you pulled those strings." She continues to talk rather animatedly about the projects that might be coming up at STAR all the way back to the teleporter that will send her home.

Yeah... she's 152 and 19 all at the same time.