The silence was suffocating as M'gann and Em'ree/ M'ree looked at each other, the former having a disapproving frown on her face while the latter looked caught between joy and guilt.
'I'm guessing that M'gann doesn't approve of her siblings' behaviour,' I thought, watching as the parents themselves looked wary of the coming interaction. 'Well, I think I should take the lead and make sure a fight doesn't break out.'
"So, you're M'gann's sister?" I asked, M'aatt giving me a thankful smile as Em'ree turned to me before nodding.
"That I am. Apologies, I never got your name."
"Chris Kent, half-human and half-Kryptonian. Pleased to meet you."
"Em'ree J'onzz. Likewise."
"Of course, you're still using that name," M'gann spoke up with a shake of her head, catching Em'ree's attention as she frowned. I was more focused on the pale white skin she had, wondering why she didn't just go with the usual green.
'She's probably trying to prove a point or she's no longer scared of her White Martian side.'
"What if I am?"
"Use your name, the real one that Mom and Dad gave you and not the one you chose when you decided to abandon us."
"I did not abandon anybody, okay? I asked Mom and Dad if it was okay and they both agreed."
"Because they won't say no!" M'gann exclaimed as I paused as J'ann raised a hand to stop me from interfering.
"They need to talk this out on their own," M'aatt spoke up and I nodded, stepping back as Em'ree's frown deepened at her sister's words.
"Yes, they do, but at least, I wasn't the one who ran away to another planet just because life here got hard."
"Oh, that's rich coming from the one that chose their name and surname simply because she didn't want others to find out about her White Martian heritage."
"At least, I chose to be open about not wanting to be seen with them. When I heard from Mom and Dad that you took a Bio-Ship and ran to Earth, I checked the files. Imagine my surprise when I saw a Green Martian hiding away on the ship meant for Uncle instead of a White Martian."
'This is bad,' I thought as I felt the air pressure intensifying, glancing at M'aatt. A grimace grew across my face as the man shook his head, but I stayed silent even though I wanted to intervene.
"Girls, let us leave this argument for a later time when you two are alone."
"I'm more than fine with ending it here, considering that she's supposed to be Em'ree J'onnz and not M'ree M'orzz," M'gann replied, but before Em'ree could reply, the front door opened.
The White Martian that walked in had a visible sneer on their face the moment they caught sight of Em'ree and I raised an eyebrow as they turned to me with a look that was caught between irritation and intrigue.
"Why the hell are they here?" The fact that his question was redirected at both M'gann and Em'ree threw me for a loop, glancing at the parents to see M'aatt's grimace and J'ann's strained smile.
"M'comm, they are here for dinner."
"Oh, so they can come and go as they please, but when I try to hang out with my friends, it's a problem."
"Your friends are also know fanatics of White Martian Supremacy," J'ann replied and I narrowed my eyes as I saw M'comm frown.
"And why shouldn't they with the shit they've been through?"
"Do not raise your voice to your mother, M'comm. Not in my house," That was the first time I heard M'aatt's voice reverberate along the walls and I winced as a heavy pressure settled in the back of my mind.
"You know, I don't mind watching you all talk to each other, but uh, could we pull back the psychic presences?"
"Ah, completely forgot you were here, Chris."
"It's okay, Mr. M'orzz," I replied with a smile, sagging in relief as it no longer felt like something was pushing against the back of my head.
Man, psychics really are a pain to deal with when they target you.
"Who's the off-worlder?"
"Chris Kent, boyfriend to your lovely sister," I replied with a smile, holding up a hand as M'comm looked at my outstretched hand before shaking it with a dismissive roll of his eyes.
"Same."
"Sarcasm mixed with condescension. I like him," I spoke with a look at M'gann, who cracked a smile for the first time since the argument before it faded as their brother turned to her.
"Didn't think you'd show your face here again, sister?" M'comm said and I caught the hurt in his voice as I saw M'gann stiffen with a grimace. "What, did you finally remember you had a younger brother that you left to fend for himself?"
'Ah, that makes more sense,' The hurt younger sibling who becomes jaded and conniving when the one sibling they adore leaves them to fend for themselves. I should have expected that one given how many other siblings she had.
"I did not leave you to fend for yourself, M'comm."
"You did run away, though," M'comm replied and J'ann decided that the arguments had gone on long enough as she raised a hand to stop M'gann.
"Enough! We have a guest and I will not let this family tear itself apart in front of him," She ordered, a faint pressure in the air that made the siblings pause before her eyes softened. "Please, can't we just go back to being a family for one day."
"...Very well," M'comm muttered with a roll of his eyes and I watched as both M'gann and Em'ree gave a slow nods. Then, his gaze moved to me. "However, I wish to speak to you later."
"Why?"
"Am I not allowed to speak to my sister's beloved 'boyfriend'?" He asked in turn at his father's question, M'aatt just looking at me as I nodded.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind. Now, the Na'arah'minu is getting cold and I need another bowl."
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Dinner was much more calmer though there was still that heavy tension in the back of everyone's mind as I finished my bowl of stew, glancing between the siblings who stared at each other.
"So, we going to continue the discussion from earlier but in a more civil manner?" I asked, wanting to make sure no fights broke out.
As I expected, Em'ree and M'comm just continued to eat while M'gann slowly shook her head.
"No, that would just bring more problems up."
"Why do you feel the need to speak out loud?"
"Because not everyone on Earth is telepathic, M'ree," M'gann replied with a frown as her sister shook her head. "Besides, Chris has some mental problems so I do not wish to strain his mind any further."
"He's insane? You sure know how to pick them."
"No, M'comm. We fought against a Lord of Chaos and he possessed Chris, forcing him to commit...things he didn't want to before we managed to calm him down."
"And you're telling me uncle J'onn couldn't fix this on his own?" M'ree asked and I decided to answer before M'gann could get pissed at her sister again.
"He tried, but it turns out that a Lord of Chaos is much stronger than a strong Martian. However, he did say that Mars had stronger telepaths than him so M'gann proposed that we come here."
"And you believe that the Sorcerers would just look at him? Just like that?" M'comm asked with a scoff as I turned my head to see M'gann's frown.
"I would like to hope that they see a young mind that is in need of help and not the beloved of a White Martian."
"Well, you're wrong, M'gann. Those Y'ellonns might be apolitical, but most of them can't cast aside their views when looking at us White Martians."
"That is wrong and you know it, M'comm," Em'ree chimed in and I watched as M'comm turned to her with a sneer.
"I don't want to hear anything from a G'arrunn who's too ashamed to be our family."
"M'comm, M'ree, no fighting," J'ann spoke with a frown, to which the two just continued to stay silent while glaring at each other. "Apologies, Chris. I wanted you to meet us, but not like this."
"Oh, no need to worry, Mrs. M'orzz. If anything, this is much more comforting than the usual stiff dinners families like to host," I spoke with a calming smile, making her smile back as M'aatt chuckled.
"I can't help but agree. Still, if J'onn could not fix your mental problems, then there is only one other Martian on the planet that would be able to help.
Luckily for you, he is also the Martian that performed the Ma'ayava'ana ceremony for J'ann and I."
"...The what ceremony?"
"A ceremony that is part of traditional Martian marital customs. It's usually held a few days before the actual wedding itself," M'gann explained before she blushed as I raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm, wonder if we can get him to do our wedding."
"W-We just got together! Let's forget about marriage for a few years at least."
"Your mom doesn't seem to mind," I replied while nodding to the Martian woman in question, M'gann letting out a soft sigh at her mom's excited smile.
"Mom, no. Chris, no," J'ann let out a groan of disappointment, but before I could respond, I paused as I felt a presence at the back of my mind.
"Chris?"
"Dubbilex? What's wrong?" I asked, watching as all five Martians looked at me before M'gann narrowed her eyes.
"Who?"
"Dubbilex. He sounds concerned."
"That's because I am. The Martian King S'turnn J'axx was just here and there is a problem approaching that we may need the help of you and Ms. Martian for."
"Got it. M'gann?"
"On it. Where are you right now?"
"The central Plaza in front of the Royal Palace."
"We'll be there in a few. See you then," I replied, feeling his presence vanish before standing up as M'aatt and J'ann looked at us.
"Do you need to go?" I was not surprised by M'aatt's words as I had felt a flicker in the back of my mind that wasn't M'gann nor Dubbilex, deciding to just let M'gann take over the discussion while looking at M'comm.
"You and me, outside for a quick talk?" I mouthed and he didn't say anything as he stood up and led me out. The door closed behind us as the two of us stopped at the pathway to the gate, neither of us saying anything.
"Ask away."
"I may hate M'gann for what she did, but she is still the only A'ashenn sibling I have. So, what are your plans for her?"
"I have none," I replied bluntly, shrugging when M'comm turned to me with a frown. "Seriously, I have no plans and I'm sure she doesn't have any either. This whole relationship thing between us is still fresh and while I would like nothing more than to have plans with her, I just decided to go with my heart and forget about any plans I make along the way."
"Love forged on feelings instead of logic. I approve," I raised an eyebrow at his response, but that was all I got as he turned and walked back in.
Moments later, both M'gann and Em'ree walked out, both in their Martians forms as well as I saw the two glancing at each other with hesitant gazes.
"So, she coming with?"
"Yes, she has some work to do at the Royal Palace so she decided to tag along," Even I knew that was a lie, but it appears that neither of them were going to talk about it further and simply nodded.
"Sure. Let's get this show on the road."
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"Conner!"
"Chris," The G-Gnome greeted back as he hopped from Raven's arms to my shoulder, a chuckle escaping my lips as I had a little fist-bump with him.
"What is...that? And that?"
"Ah, right. Em'ree, this is Goblin/ Conner, a G-Gnome that has been with me since I was created, and that is Dubbilex, a close brother and the leader of the Genomorphs that Conner also belongs to.
Also, you got Raven, another close friend of ours, and Match aka Superboy, my half-brother that's also a clone like me."
"I...se-Wait, clones?"
"It's a long story," Match replied, ignoring Em'ree as he looked to me with a frown. "The king didn't tell us exactly what the problem was, but he did say that it involves the possible destruction of Mars itself."
"I understand. Rae, you sure you want to take part? You usually don't like getting involved in things."
"I don't want to, but I also remember that you're still a loose cannon so we should try keeping you out of danger as much as we can."
"That...is true. Anyway, let's go and meet with this king,"I spoke, turning and pausing in my tracks as the Martian guards at the front door stomped the butts of their staves against the ground.
"Only you and one other may enter."
"Okay, M'gann?" I asked only to frown when one of the guards scoffed.
"Anyone but the A'ashenn."
"Then, you guys are going to tell the king that you're the reason why we won't help you, okay?" I spoke with a smile, holding up a hand to stop everyone from talking as I saw the guards looking at the one that had spoken.
"Do not listen to him. He does not speak for us."
"Good, because if you were going to insist, then I was going to fly up to one of your moons and push it towards Mars to crush you like-"
"Chris?" M'gann's concerned voice echoed in my mind and I blinked as the anger bled away, turning to see everyone's wary looks as well as the guards' pale faces.
"I think Klarion's magic has gotten stronger. We don't have much time."
"Then, we need to move. Let's go," M'gann replied, taking my hand as the two of us immediately ascended the stairs. While I looked calm on the outside, I was still in a state of uncertainty at what just happened.
I wasn't even that mad. If anything, there was some irritation at getting told what to do, but not to the extent that I would say what I just said.
"Chris, your mind is in turmoil," M'gann whispered and I took a slow breath as I saw some of the Green Martians around us looking too wary to approach us.
"R-Right, sorry. Just...surprised at how quickly the spell has grown."
"I can only imagine. Still, if Mom and Dad can get into contact with the Martian they have in mind, then everything will be okay," She replied and I nodded right as we stopped in front of a large double door.
The guards in front of it didn't say anything as they pushed the doors open, allowing M'gann and I to enter.
The room itself was large, about the same size as the entrance hall in the Watchtower. Long brown pillars held up the marbled roof above as guards lined the pathway and at the end of said path were steps that led up to dais with three thrones on it.
The centre throne was the largest, a larger-than-average Red Martian sitting atop it with a crown on his head. To his right on the second largest throne sat a smaller Red Martian dressed in blue and gold garments along with a headdress that had a frill piece in the centre of it.
Finally on the opposite side in the smallest throne was another Red Martian, wearing a similar set of armour like the king in the centre except his was lined with silver and white instead of gold.
"What's the usual greeting?"
"Earth ones."
"Got it. Your Highness, a pleasure to meet you," I spoke with a bow, M'gann copying my movements as the king bowed his head.
"It is a pleasure to meet the leader of the off-worlders as well. I am S'turnn J'axx, king of Mars. To my right is my lovely wife J'arlia J'axx, the queen, and to my left is my beloved son, the prince J'emm J'axx."
"Pleased to meet you, Queen J'arlia, Prince J'emm. As I'm sure you all know, I am Chris Kent formerly known as the hero Paragon on Earth and this is my girlfriend M'gann M'orzz also known as the hero Ms. Martian."
"P-Pleased to meet you, your Majesty," M'gann greeted and I was pleased as the king nodded with an amused look.
"Be at ease, M'gann. Unlike most, I consider all Martians that are not B'lahdenn to be equal," Despite his words sounding nice, the way they were phrased only made me hum as I could read under the lines.
Anyone that isn't a Red Martian is beneath us Red Martians. Still, the guy was cordial enough to treat us nicely so I will do the same.
The prince seemed to be of the same mind as he bowed his head in greeting, but when I turned to the queen, I could only look back at the king when I saw the disinterested look in her eyes.
Yeah, I expected that.
"Now that we are acquainted, I hope that you can help us with our problem."
"Only if you would grant my request after I had helped you," I was not naive enough to work for free and it appears the King noticed as he narrowed his eyes with a slight smile before nodding.
"Agreed."
"Agreed, then. Now, what is the problem?"
"Tell me. Have you heard the name Mongul?"
A/N: And we end it off here~! More talking and being nice leading up to the big chapter next week.
Next chapter: The Tyrant and the Hero.
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Ba-Bye~!