The Wilder Side

Chapter 11

Mr. Magnet

Jericho sat in her living area, watching the rapid city life outside of her window. She was the definition of anger that morning as she threw items, stomped about, and screamed into the nothingness.

Pepper Potts had done everything in her hands to fix the problem when she heard how terrible the interview had gone. She threatened to have the interviewers head on an iron platter if they released the interview. Once they conceded, Pepper demanded they send over every single copy they had. And they were all destroyed.

Peter hadn't left her side since the horrid interview. He watched Jericho go through different cycles of anger. He made sure she ate breakfast, changed her clothes, and made sure she didn't hurt herself too much. Eventually, the young mutant tired herself out and sat in front of the giant glass window. She hadn't moved in hours. Peter watched her on the sofa. He informed Tony of Jericho's state constantly, just so the billionaire wouldn't worry.

"Jericho, do you want to go eat something?"

She didn't respond.

"Maybe a churro?"

No, respond.

"Oh boy."

Peter knew it was bad when the young mutant didn't want to go eat her favorite food. He neared her slowly, just in case she decided to hurt him physically, but Jericho didn't even notice him. Peter grew nervous. He missed Jericho's snide comments and her obsession for churros.

He finally gathered up the courage to speak to her.

"Jericho... Are you all right?"

What a stupid question, Peter thought to himself. Of course, she wasn't okay. She wouldn't be stuck in an emotionless state if she was fine.

When Jericho heard Peter's voice she turned to look at him for a moment. Feeling vulnerable, she patted the spot besides her, telling him to sit with her. And he did.

"Can I tell you a story?" She asked.

"Of course," he responded immediately.

"When I was 9, I met Erik Lehnsherr for the first time. I had been learning about my mutation for the first time. That day in the mansion, there had been an attack and Magneto was behind it. He was looking for something Charles had and instead he found me. There was a woman with him called Mystique. She's a shapeshifter. She can change her appearance to anyone she wishes. She turned into Charles and convinced me to follow Erik," Jericho said. She glanced at Peter and continued her story when she saw she still had his full attention.

"It was my first kidnapping. I feel like every X-Men has to go through this at some point in their lives. Even Charles. I only stayed with Erik for a day and a half when I asked him why he took me..."

~

"Excuse me, Mr. Magnet?" 9-year-old Jericho asked as she tugged on the older man's cape. Erik turned to Jericho with a huff and yanked his cape away.

"It's Magneto, child. What do you want?"

"Where's Charlie? When can I go home?"

"When I teach you everything you need to know."

"Charlie was going to do that."

"His name is Charles and all he was going to do was fill your head with false hope, child. Now come with, Jericho, let us take a walk."

Eventually, young Jericho became fussy in Erik's dark hideout, so he took her to New York at night to show her the pretty lights of the city. It was night time but there were plenty of people still bustling about. Jericho had never been to the city and she was intimidated. She made sure to hold onto Raven and Erik's hand tightly.