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Mutant High Episode 3- "Shades of Red"

Chapter 5

Jean became flooded with hot rage as she made the mental link with Wanda. The anger was fervent, but it wasn't obvious. It lay in her mind like lava, deep beneath the surface, bubbling and spitting in wait.

Eric's goal was simple—a plan of action needed numbers. The others were off in the city, scouring for any rumors or half truths that could lead to mutants. Every mutant was a potential soldier in their cause. For every mutant on the planet, there was at least one person with a hatred for mutants. Eric had been clear that an army of seven couldn't last forever.

The fight at Westchester High had shown the Brotherhood that there were at least six mutants in the area. Wanda's job was to find out who they were—head to the school and pair names to the faces. Eric hoped that at least one of them would be willing to listen to the Brotherhood's offer.

Wanda was none too pleased about being the odd one out. She was especially upset about her separation from Eric. Of all the Brotherhood members, she was the most passionate, she felt the most connected to Eric's cause. Her brother was even still unsure. John seemed more interested in causing mayhem. And Morty's motives were blind. He was only a child.

Wanda handed the woman at the counter a bill from her wallet before she took her sandwich and left.

Jean broke the link, and turned to Remy.

"She's headed for the school. She wants our names—they're looking to recruit us."

Remy raised an eyebrow.

"After what she did to Scott? Good luck to her." Jean began to walk, Remy following closely.

"If she's headed to the school, we have to stop her. She's looking for all of us. Scott and the others are all still there, totally unaware."

"Is she looking to pick a fight?"

"I don't know. I don't think she is. Eric told her to find out who we are and make us see the way he does. I wouldn't put it past her to start something just to draw any mutants out of hiding."

Remy nodded as they left the Farmer's Market. "Makes sense. Should we go back in and kick her ass?"

Jean shook her head. "I'd love to, believe me, but we have to be more subtle. Besides, there are way too many people in there. Someone would get hurt. We could get hurt."

Jean pointed to a red sedan parked badly in the lane of spaces across from her. "That's her car. Think you can blow her tires?"

"Think?" Remy asked, as he approached Wanda's vehicle. "I know I can." Crouching, he pressed his palm against the taut rubber for a moment, before backing away.

"That should take care of it. It'll be awesome."

Sure enough, the tire suddenly exploded with unexpected force. The car bucked and burning rubber flew everywhere. Sets of eyes after sets of eyes from within the market turned to the window. Wanda dropped her sandwich in shock.

"How much did you charge it?"

"Not very much at all! Explosions are big, Jean!"

"Yeah, well let's get out of here before someone catches us. Please." The two walked into the parking lot, marching hastily towards Remy's Jeep.

"STOP!" The voice was Wanda's.

"Ignore her," whispered Remy. Wanda stepped off the curb, slowly heading towards them.

"I SAID STOP!" She raised her arm, and with a flash of crimson, the pavement in front of Jean and Remy exploded. Jean raised her arms, telekinetically flinging the debris away. Remy whirled around to face Wanda.

"What the hell did you do to my car?" She growled.

"What the hell did you do to my boyfriend?" He barked back. She glared. Remy bent down, snatching a piece of the now shattered asphalt. Letting the energy run through his body into the rock, he threw the debris directly at Wanda. Her finger sparked with her dark red energy, and, snapping like a whip, it cracked out and struck the rock midair. It blew up, leaving nothing but smoke.

"What happened to subtlety?" Jean yelled, perplexed.

"Fuck subtlety, she hurt Scott." Remy grabbed and threw another rock, and again, Wanda intercepted the shot.

"Frankly, you suck. Is that your strategy?" Wanda seemed to shine with annoyance. "I've dealt with far more difficult people than you."

Her arms began to snake, her movements almost like an Egyptian dancer. With each arc and bend of her arm, another wave of her red magic fired. Headlights blew out of cars, popping like bubbles at the end of a straw. The pavement seemed to boil. Remy and Jean took cover behind his jeep, as Remy rummaged in his bag for a pack of cards. Astounded bystanders watched from within the Farmer's Market.

"Guess we have to fight," Jean sighed. She was furious with Remy's implusiveness. There was no way that she could get through Wanda's assault.

Peering underneath the car, Jean extended her arm, focusing on holding Wanda. The dark haired girl gasped when she realized she was in Jean's grasp, and without a second thought, Jean flung her backwards. She sprawled on the pavement, and for the moment, everything was silent.

Taking the opportunity, Remy rose, and began his assault. His first card missed narrowly, but the blast knocked Wanda further back. She screamed in anger, and with her finger extended, she fired another blast of energy, deflecting the second card. Waiting with a third card, Remy pulled back, watching Wanda wearily as she came to her feet.

"Your move. Go ahead."

Remy dropped the card, and put his hand against his car.

"When I tell you Jean, throw the car at her."

"WHAT?"

"Do it now!" Remy pulled his hand away. Jean was totally shocked—Remy was totally willing to sacrifice his car as a weapon against Wanda, who, in all likelihood, would use her power to nullify the charge.

Nevertheless, the car was charged, and if Jean didn't act, it would blow up her and Remy instead. Focusing all her energy, she catapulted Remy's jeep into the sky. Her temples throbbed under the stress. The car groaned in the air before it violently combusted, blasting metal and glass across the parking lot. Jean repelled as much as she could while Remy ducked for cover.

The air was now filled with smoke and the smell of fire.

"You were supposed to hit her!" Remy screamed. Jean panted heavily, before she looked Remy in the eye.

"No way. It would have killed her. There's no way we're dealing with that."

Remy was upset, but when he turned back to where Wanda had been standing, he saw she was gone. Without a word to Jean, he was off, running to find wherever Wanda had gone.

Jean sat in a crumpled, dirtied heap amidst the debris. She drew her cell phone and dialed Dr. Xavier.

"Please don't be in class right now," She whispered, hoping as hard as she could there would be an answer at the other end.

"Hello?"

Jean nearly collapsed with relief.

"Dr. Xavier, its Jean. We need your help."