So my version of Kate Bishop is a little different from how she's portrayed in Hawkeye. Hope that doesn't bother you guys too much.
Episode 113: Kisses from Kitmar!
"Maybe we shouldn't get carried away on our emotions," MJ suggested. "After all, we should be at our best during the competition."
"Yeah, you're right," Jean-Paul agreed. "Now's not the time to get all petty about stuff."
"Hmph!" Felicia strutted away and went into a private dressing room.
While Liz did the same, Gwen took out her Marémon Gwespin and Greengob trying to figure out which one to use for the competition.
"Thanks for calming me down," Jean-Paul said to MJ. "I didn't catch your name."
"It's MJ," said MJ. "Short for Michelle Jones."
"Such a cool nickname," remarked Jean-Paul. "My sister called me JP when we were younger."
"Didn't she used to be in Alpha Flight with you?"
"Oui (Yes), but then she had to…retire."
"Because she was struggling with mental problems, right?"
Reluctantly, Jean-Paul nodded. "The Daily Bugle made it look like she was crazy, but she's not! For most of her life, Jeanne-Marie has been dealing with dissociative identity disorder which basically gave her two distinct personalities. One is quiet and shy, while the other is outgoing and uninhibited. She showed the latter side mostly during battle, though it would often get her into dangerous situations and I'd have to bail her out.
"And since she doesn't remember anything that happens when her outgoing self is in control, she was often depressed. It got so bad to the point where she…tried to kill herself. That's why she had to quit Alpha Flight and was sent to a mental institution."
MJ squeezed Jean-Paul's shoulder. "I didn't think your sister was crazy, even when I heard about it in the news. And I'm sure the institution's doing everything to help her."
"But their efforts are not good enough!" Jean-Paul snapped. When he saw MJ's startled look, though, he lightened his tone. "The reason I'm here is because I heard there's a new type of brain operation available that can get rid of severe mental issues like dissociative identity disorder. So I'm hoping to win the Marémon Lovers Festival and use the prize money on such an operation for my sister."
"Well, I wish you luck," MJ said encouragingly. "But you'll have to contend against me and the other girls first."
"I don't plan to lose, MJ," Jean-Paul said with determination. "Trust me!"
Just as Peter was about to enter the Sokovia Realm, he heard someone trip behind him. Looking back he saw a girl about his age with wavy black hair tied into a ponytail wearing a quarter-sleeve purple hoodie over a magenta top with leather fingerless gloves and skin-tight black pants.
"You okay?" Peter said, helping the girl to her feet.
"I'm fine," the girl insisted, dusting herself off. "Hopefully I'm not too late to get the Reality Stone Badge."
"Reality Stone Badge?" Peter exclaimed. "Are you participating in the Avengers League too?"
"Of course I am!" the girl said, pointing to the yellow Mind Stone Badge pinned to her hoodie. "I won this fair and square in New Asgard Town."
"But who was running the Asgard Realm after Odin disappeared?"
"His wife Frigga—duh! Is that the entrance to the Sokovia Realm?"
Looking at where the girl was pointing, Peter noticed the swirling rainbow-colored vortex was still spinning.
"Didn't it used to be at the church?" the girl looked confused.
"The previous Realm Champion left, so a new one took her place and changed the location of the realm entrance," Peter explained.
"Oh, I see. Who's the new Realm Champion?"
"Jean Grey."
"From the X-Men?" the girl's eyes widened. "Wow! Did she get officially sworn in?"
"Yes, this morning."
"By who?"
"Clint Barton."
Hearing that name, the girl squeed so loudly that Peter plugged his ears.
"Sorry, sorry," the girl apologized. "I'm just a huge fan of Clint! Did he leave?"
"No, he's judging the Marémon Lovers contest at the theater."
The girl seemed hesitant, looking between the Sokovia Realm and back towards the river where the theater was.
"I can let Jean know you want to challenge her so you can go and see Barton," Peter offered. "Um, what's your name?"
Slapping her face, the girl said, "Geez, what's the matter with me? I'm rambling on over here and I haven't even introduced myself!"
"It's okay, we all have our moments," Peter said. "My name is Peter Parker."
"Kate Bishop." The girl then shook Peter's hand and took off. "I'll be back soon!"
As Kate left the plaza, Peter turned back to the Sokovia Realm and was surprised to see Jean standing in front of the vortex.
"H-How long were you standing there?" Peter asked.
"Long enough to see that girl leave," Jean said. "Is she here to challenge me as well?"
"She is. Her name's Kate Bishop and she went to see Barton at the Marémon Theater."
"For what reason?"
"Cuz she's a big fan of his."
"Ah, then she's a fangirl."
"You make it sound like that's a bad thing."
"No, I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I have nothing against fangirls in general. Just…Avengers fangirls irritate me."
"Why?"
"Because it's clear they only care about how good-looking the male Avengers are more than their actions and the sacrifices they made to save the world from that monster Thanos! Plus, it doesn't help that the Avengers get more positive feedback from the people than the X-Men. So I guess you could call it a mixture of envy and frustration."
From the vortex emerged a small fox kit with tufts of red fur on its head that contrasted the rest of its body which was light-green while its six tails were bright-yellow. It rubbed its snout against Jean's leg, causing her to look down.
"Oh, Kitmar," Jean said and picked the small fox up. "You read my mind with Telepathy again, didn't you?"
Kitmar yipped in response and licked Jean's face, causing her to giggle.
"I know you're worried about me, but I'll be fine," Jean assured and looked back at Peter. "So, do you want to challenge me now?"
"You bet I do!" Peter said while Spidermin nodded in agreement.
To be continued…