The new Marémon I'm introducing in this chapter, Ebunny, is a reference to Ebony, which was Agatha Harkness' cat familiar in the Marvel comics though he's a rabbit like the one Agatha has in WandaVision.
Episode 78: Ebunny for Your Thoughts!
"I think Wanda is aware Witchlet is controlling the reality Westview exists in, and wants to make sure everything is running smoothly," MJ said to Peter and Felicia. "And by that, I mean ensure everyone is doing what they're supposed to."
"Yeah, I see what you mean," Felicia said. "The way I spoke and behaved…wasn't really me. It's like I was chosen to fill a role of some kind in this reality, and had to act that way whether I liked it or not."
"That's how I felt too," Peter admitted. "And I wasn't aware of being in an alternate reality until just now."
"So was I," Felicia noted, glancing at MJ's hand. "Until you touched me."
MJ looked down at her hands, feeling a slight tingle between them. "The only explanation I can come up with is Monica's reality-scrambled molecules rubbed off on me when we touched by mistake, and when I shook Wanda's hand earlier it somehow broke the control her Marémon had on me."
"And so when you shook my hand, it had the same effect," Felicia concluded.
"Then the reason I got affected is because I was holding Felicia's hand," Peter said. "But if touching Wanda allowed you to regain your mind and ours from Witchlet's control, wouldn't that mean Wanda is the one who's actually running this reality and not Witchlet?"
"Even though Monica said the Reality Stone was in Witchlet's chest," MJ said, pondering over her original theory. "Maybe Wanda and Witchlet share a telepathic connection like Eddie Brock did with Veneo…."
Just then, a series of knocks came from the door to the infirmary.
"Okay, we should try to act natural until we figure out how to free the town," MJ said to Felicia and Peter. "That way, neither Wanda or Witchlet will suspect our awareness."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Felicia smirked, glancing at Peter. "That means we're going to be spending a lot of time together."
While Peter gulped nervously, MJ opened the door. On the other side stood a middle-aged woman with thick black hair and a charismatic smile.
"Hello, dears!" the woman said waving her hand in an exaggerated manner. "You must be the new students I've been hearing all about! I'm Nurse Agnes."
"Um, nice to meet you," MJ said. "I'm Michelle Jones, but I prefer being called MJ."
"Peter Parker," Peter responded.
"Felicia Hardy," Felicia answered. "We didn't see anyone in here and decided to let ourselves in. Hope that's okay."
"That's perfectly fine," Agnes beamed. "Just as long as you didn't try to feed Señor Scratchy. He likes to beg even after he's been fed."
While the canned laughter returned, MJ noticed a cage on a shelf with a rabbit inside that she didn't see the first time. It was milk-white with brown patches and had ears shaped like hands.
"Is that an Ebunny?" MJ asked.
"Right you are!" Agnes confirmed. "Isn't he the cutest thing you've ever laid eyes on?"
Before MJ could respond, the school bell rang.
"Ah, first period!" Agnes said. "You three should probably get to class, unless you were actually feeling sick."
"No, we're okay," Peter insisted as he got up from the bed. "Thanks for asking, though."
"Anytime, dear," replied Agnes. "My husband Ralph never thanks me for anything, but I still love the big palooka."
The canned laughter chimed in while Peter, MJ, and Felicia left the infirmary.
"Have a good first day!" Agnes called after them. "And don't hesitate to drop by for a chat if you want. I do get lonely in my office from time to time."
Cheers followed as Agnes closed the door to the infirmary, leaving Peter and the others unsure of what to think as they went to their homeroom class which they knew on instinct but couldn't explain why.
Several months later, the clothing styles of Westview's citizens changed from the 1980s to the 90s. In that time, Wanda's baby Marémon Wikkid and Spedfoal had gotten bigger and were now acting like toddlers resulting in them making huge messes at her house. On top of that, Vistro was wandering off on his own for long periods of time.
"It's not that I mind Vistro wandering around the town, since I know he'll always come back home," Wanda said to MJ before homeroom started. "But I still worry about him."
"What's there to worry about?" MJ said. Her hair was less frizzy than before, and she had traded her gray quarter-sleeve sweater and black skirt for a black-and-gray plaid shirt over a gray tank top with sweat pants. "The town's not very big, and there aren't any dangerous Marémon in the area as far as I know."
"Yeah, you're right," Wanda realized. "Thanks for being a good friend."
"Sure," MJ said, ignoring Wanda's unintentionally condescending tone.
Then during lunch break, MJ wandered over to the storage shed where all the sports equipment was kept. It was her, Peter, and Felicia's secret meeting place where they could talk amongst themselves without being disturbed by Wanda or any of Westview's other brainwashed citizens. She knocked on the door to the shed in a special pattern, and was relieved when the door opened. Peter stood on the other side, his outfit not having changed between entering the Hex Barrier and now, with Felicia leaning on his right shoulder.
Compared to MJ, Felicia's outfits had changed the most frequently. She went from wearing a black shoulder-less top and skirt before going into the Hex Barrier to a white shirt with a loose neckline, a black undershirt, a white skirt, and black leggings. Now she wore a white halter top and black skinny jeans.
"Did anyone follow you?" Felicia asked MJ.
"No," MJ said irritably. "How many times do I have to tell you?"
"It's only a matter of time before Wanda catches onto us, so we have to remain vigilant in our efforts to stay in character," Felicia said as she closed the door. "Not that I mind being Peter's pseudo love-interest."
"Maybe you don't mind it, but I do," Peter said.
To be continued…
