u/MasterOfMagnetism63

Genosha has been hounded ever since the mutate class rose up against their human oppressors. Such is a trend that continues itself, and while Genosha may not currently be getting bombed, or witnessing another sentinel decimate the island's inhabitants, it is witnessing the effects of a globalized capitalist market that despises mutants and will do all in it's power to avoid benefitting my kind. While aide is being given by Namor and Atlantis, much of that is in the form of technology, and people are in need of basic supplies. Some trade relations have been established with Tanzania, largely due to some lasting good will with former President Jono Baraka. We have long needed someone who can play the human's game to our benefit. Miss Frost has been preoccupied, and now seemingly locked in an ideological conflict with Scott Summers. Shaw is dead, nor would I wish to affiliate myself with him if he was living. My former student, your former mentee, Mr. Da Costa, cannot play the game on the same level as I require. That is where you come in.

Magneto turns from his office window to take a seat at his desk, and sitting across from him is a man known throughout the world as a gaudy businessman, the "Ziggy Stardust" of the corporate boardroom. He is known to a mere handful as a powerful mutant, whose very power is to use someone's paragenetic abilities against him. And he is known to merely ten fingers or so, on the hand of destiny which envelops this planet, as a High Lord. An External. A mutant immortal who has manipulated the course of history to suit his needs for countless centuries. The man's is known as Gideon.

"I have kept your most recent attempt at mutant civilization under watch, Magnus. Or is it Erik, now? You change your name more than myself. This place has fascinated me, you have actually grown roots here, you haven't ran off to your ungrateful child or to deal with more X-Men drama. I would be lying if I said your actions did not provide ample opportunity for profit, for the both of us."

Profit is not the goal here, the goal is ample food and supplies for my growing populace. They-

"Do not worry one bit, Erik, You'll get what you want and so much more. You, and your actions, have made Genosha amongst the most hated nations on Earth, somehow even more so than North Korea. You being, well, you, along with your actions against a certain nation that certain powers tend to support, as well as your actions with the UN has tarnished any reputation Genosha could have had. That does not mean we are out of options. While the enemies of your enemies certainly are not your friends, they can be valuable allies. Let us, for ease of conversation, simply say that your main enemy is the United States of America, would you disagree?"

While they are among the more vocal members of my opposition, I would not say they alone-

"No of course not, you have all but declared war on an entire species, but they are who hold the most power, correct?"

They have been the center of mutant bigotry, they are the world's hyperpower, so yes, for the sake of brevity, you are correct.

"Good, because there is no America. We no longer live in a world of nations and ideologies. The world is a college of corporations, inexorably determined by the immutable bylaws of business. The world is a business, and you already know you need someone who can play it. You have allies in Atlantis, that is a good start, then we must look towards what corporations compete with your enemies. Russia would be my first option, though you have history with them, whole Leningrad thing and all, in addition to difficulty with supply lines. China would be another good option, your lack of capitalist systems should be a selling point to them if not for Deng Xiaoping's recent reforms."

If by recent you mean about 50 years.

"Like I said, recent. I have other options, but will require time to iron out the details."

Good, I am willing to offer you a position within Genoshan government. Keep you in my inner circle away from public eyes, you would only be required to directly deal with myself and a handful of others in similar positions.

"Increase my cut of the profits and you have a deal."

Gideon reaches a hand across the table, an offer that Magneto accepts.

A new age is upon us, it will not be Apocalypse's, but an age of increased strife between Man and Mutant. The Egyptian External will fall, and he will fall by mutant hands. The world will not remember that part, they will only remember the rogue mutant who tore the world asunder, as if manmade threats have not done much worse. Where was the outcry to police humanity when Ultron decimated an entire nation? Where was the call to keep Asgardians "in check" when the trickster god led an attack on New York? Where were cries of outrage when 16 million died on Genosha? Humanity does not care until those they have power over commit the violence, which is why if Mutantkind is to truly hold it's place in the world there must be a mutant holding power amongst them.

The United Nations General Assembly, Apocalypse struck here recently, cutting the head off of this snake. I force my way into these halls, cape billowing behind me as I disarm the guards and walk towards the front the the assembly. There is a seat missing where the Slorenian diplomat had been eviscerated by Apocalypse, there is still the faint stain of blood where the President, Secretary General, and Under Secretary General had been murdered. As I march onward towards the front, I call out the the room as a whole.

"None shall be harmed here, so long as I remain unharmed."

A water bottle is thrown at me, bouncing off my helmet as the French representative stands up. Just as quickly as they begin to yell, to disparage me for being a mutant, I magnetically grab what metal exists on their attire to force them to sit down, without breaking stride.

"Do all stay seated, if you would?"

Arriving at the front of the assembly, I rise into the air to be seen and heard by all. Above the Vice President who had been put in the President's seat until another can be voted in. Above the rabble of human governance.

"I understand there is typically a proper order of operations for this sort of thing, but I am of the impression that time is not on Man's side. I demand Genosha be admitted as a UN recognized nation."

Many members of the assembly erupt in anger. Anger directed at the nearest mutant, even though I was not the source of their anger, not this time.

"SILENCE! Apocalypse will be stopped, by mutant hands as he has always been. However, I have influence amongst those who dare to oppose him, if you do not wish to see the end of your kind in the near future, you will give me what I want. I demand so little, I wish my nation of refugees to have recognition in the human world, I wish to have a say in how my people are seen by yours."

Notices the cameras in the room, magnetically taking control of them, ensuring all are turned to face me.

"You have allowed the corporate news to tell lies to you and your children, you've allowed it to spread hatred towards my kind, just as before you allowed it to spread hatred for yours. You slaughtered each other for the color of your skin, for your faith, or politics... or for no reason at all! Too many of you hate as easily as you draw breath. You sponsor wars and then are livid when that boomerang comes back to hit you. Then, you feel you have a right to judge me and mine, for simply wishing to exist! We would not have to fight if you did not try to kill us at every turn! So do us this one favor, give in to my demands. Unless you wish to make an enemy of a nation of mutants, ruled by the Master of Magnetism, I would advise you not hold onto your pride and hatred. You may begin your voting, I will await outside."

Exiting the hall, I know I will have won. There are no heroes or villains anymore, just what I want and how I will get it. They are too afraid of the repurcussions to deny me, the fear they hold for Mutantkind works in my favor. I dislike the idea of being amongst Man's governance, but this is an opportunity to legitimize Genosha's place in the world. An opportunity to ensure nothing like before happens to Genosha again. Mutantkind will be hated even more in the coming years, due to Apocalypse, due to Scott finally rejecting Charles' peaceful ways, and I will do everything in my power to keep my people protected. And I will begin by ensuring the safety of Genosha.

The door opens, enter the Master of Magnetism. Katherine Pryde's injuries appeared to have healed enough for her to be on her feet.

Good, you're up. Come, we have much to discuss.

Magneto drops to the floor as he turns to exit, followed closely by Kitty. Walking down the way, he begins to detail his thoughts.

I once promised to help Illyana with the demons of her past, and though she said she wished to solve her problems herself I still felt responsible. I blamed myself for her death, for not being there for her when she needed help, and now she is one of Apocalypse's horsemen, and I was not there for my student in her time of need. I aim to be amongst those who will free her from his grasp, but Roberto raised an excellent point... if we are to reach her on any level you must also be there. Your previous encounter with her, particularly her sparing you and bringing you to me, shows that on some level you can reach her true self. I wish to bring you along, I will do everything in my power to protect you, just as I am sure you will do everything in your power to bring her back to you.

Magneto ends his walk when arriving to one of Genosha's beaches, where he removes his helmet and hovers it over to Kitty.

Which brings me to my next point, and why I originally wished to speak with you, when this is all over Genosha needs someone with your capabilities, Ms. Pryde. The majority of the population is comprised of refugees, many children who were no longer welcome in their homes, and they require schooling. Emma has much on her plate already or I would have asked her, but you have ran a school before, you are more than qualified, and most importantly, you will keep me honest. You are a good person, Katherine, and I know that no matter how much I try, deep down I am always a broken man, I am prone to mistakes, I know I have done terrible acts, and I want you to help me never make those mistakes again. You need not accept now, should you need time to think. We have much bigger issues at hand.

Apocalypse, the First Mutant, one of the strongest to ever live, and he threatens all our kind have built. He seeks to wage war and genocide Mankind, a war I know from experience ends poorly for all parties. There is no love lost between Man and myself, but decimating 90% of their population would only create global catastrophe, and the attempt alone would destroy what little good will is left between Man and their genetic superiors.

I've been called to assist in creating a plan to defeat Apocalypse, pulled from my beloved Genosha, entrusting the defense of my nation to another, all to save mankind once more. The talk of a mutant cure has been thrown around this council, I find even the thought of it to be disgusting. In fact, I believe even killing Apocalypse to be against our purposes. After the losses of Genosha we are already too few, losing one as strong as he is devastating to our species. If he could be controlled, he would finally be of use to our species and a useful bargaining chip against Mankind.

My dream will not be hindered because these people think me complacent to their ideals. I hold respect for many on this council, save specifically for that cur, Sinister. Apocalypse will fall, but he will survive, he will become a weapon for my dream. That monster deserves death, more so than even me, but I cannot allow the death of another mutant. While I do hope they simply do not try, if they attempt to manufacture a cure, or find a manner to kill him, I will intervene, I will stay their hand by force if need be.

For I am Power, but men call me Magneto.

214782, I don’t even need to see the tattoo to see the numbers. Live as a number long enough it never leaves you, live the rest of your life with them engraved on your arm and you will never forget. I aim for no mutant to have to survive anything similar… never again.

Overlooking my realm, I should be proud. Progress has been made, mutants have been given a home, but there is always more to be done… and it is my sole responsibility to do it. I’ve left it in the hands of those I thought better than me before, I’ll never make such a mistake again.

Alas, it seems I am to not step foot off Genosha, less I be struck down by the “Squadron Supreme,” as they call themselves. Certainly not the first I have met in my long life believing themselves supreme, and far from the last(the irony is lost on me). He called mutants a plague, he offered his own “solution,” in my younger years I would have taken the fight then and there. He labeled his hesitance to pull the trigger as “generosity,” he would have been right at home in the Camps I spent my childhood in.

What this has shown me, is that my defenses were not as prepared as I would have liked. All other construction has been halted until proper defensive measures are prepared, a society that cannot defend itself is one doomed to fail… and I cannot risk the fall of Genosha… not again.

My daughter has returned to me, I cannot allow this mission of mine to fail now. I have failed her enough in her life, I have to do one thing right, and it may as well be this. If I can secure a future for Genosha, I can secure a future for her… I just want her to be happy, I want more for her than I ever had.

Then, there’s the Grey boy, who approached me with the most peculiar of offers. He wished to forge a team of mutants to protect and spread my dream… I never expected such an offer. I had been used to working alone for all these years, having a team who willfully followed me, while not new per se, is refreshing. The old brotherhood followed me, but that was a different vision, a different dream. My Acolytes, well, I was a broken man then, and I did not respect them as I should have. And my Marauders, the clones of clones of clones who I freed from Sinister, they do not follow me fully of their own free will. If I am to never step foot from Genosha again, at least I will have an influence upon the greater world.

Genosha will succeed where all my past endeavors have failed. All the pain and suffering I have caused must mean something… for if it doesn’t then what have I fought my whole life for? Why remember these numbers on my arm if I have done more evil than has been done to me?

The wedding was pleasant, but there is work to be done, I could not afford to stick around long after. First, I needed space to think, should Genosha be returned to it's former glory it would require more resources. External aide has never been an option, few nations are willing to support an independent mutant nation, let alone one founded and ruled by a former terrorist. I went to the one quiet place I still know, a failed experiment of mine from the past that I have constantly tried to bring back, Asteroid M.

A haven for mutants, that's what I called it, that's what I've called a great many things, yet Asteroid M remains untouchable for most. It remains empty, all this time later, I can see the marks from the conflict that took place mere months ago... a different time, I tell myself. I was angry, I lost control and took it out on the world, and many stood by me. My anger split our people, my anger caused death, and destruction... for what? Nothing changed, 16 million remained dead, the true killer remains at large... I allowed my anger to make the situation far, far worse. And to make matters worse, I have the potential to do it again. I lack the conscience to stop myself, after all, if I have survived great pain, why shouldn't I subject those who oppose me to such pain? I am a monster, I can't truly change, all I can do is cover up what hides inside me, pretend to be the leader my people need... and hope the facade never falters.

The Asteroid begins to be yanked from it's orbit, and descend towards Earth.

My people deserve better than anything I could ever give them, but it is only me who can protect them, it is only me who can keep mutantkind alive until my successor understands that he is, in fact, my successor.

Asteroid M starts burning up as it cuts through the atmosphere, those attuned to the Earth's magnetic fields can viscerally feel the disturbance being caused, while human governments begin to detect it, and begin to scramble any contingencies in place... too late.

I will make Genosha a paradise. Genosha will not be an addition to my long, long list of failures, not again. The human world will tremble before me, they will give me all I demand or they will find out just how much damage an island of mutants can truly do.

It descends towards the Indian Ocean, but the closer it was to the surface of the water, the slower it became. Slowly, it would be held over Genosha, not threateningly, but a gift.

Though a monster I may be, though a conscience I may lack for Man's world, my way is the only way Mutantkind will survive this cruel world. I may not be the future for our kind, I am the present. I am all that stands in the way of the camps, all that stands in the way of the killing fields and the chambers. I will not stand by and watch my kind burn one by one, this time I will dismantle their weapons of war and use them to build defenses.

The corpses of skyscrapers are ripped from Hammer Bay, the metal stripped from the rest, and forged into pillars that are plunged into the water below. The pillars would support the weight of Asteroid M, mutant engineers would ensure they were flawless by the time the sun sets. Magneto's former base would provide Genosha with technology not seen since the destruction of the old city, it would provide all Genosha needs for the short term... and the means in which it arrived here will garner what Genosha needs in the long term.

Never again.