Chapter 68
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Magneto was eating in the cafateria with others. Some of Magneto's old followers still believed in what he stood for, others had fought against him and still didn't trust him. Among his current friends were Toad, and Sabertooth. And then, a man named Joseph came and asked to sit with them.
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Joe: May I join you?
Magneto: Certainly.
Joe: Pardon my ignorance, but I've heard that some mutants have a mark, to show their pride in their mutant abilities.
Magneto: Some do. As for me, I had a mark once, and I will never allow another needle to touch my skin.
Joe: Yes, I've heard that you went through Hell, and were willing to do whatever was neccessary to make sure it never happenned again.
Toad: He ain't the only one. The army knew I was a mutant, put me together with other mutants in Vietnam. They used us, only when our service was over did they try to turn us over to have us experimented on. It was Magento's old friend Raven who saved us.
Joe: And it seems history is repeating itself, yet again. I was born in Brooklyn, we had a fairly large jewish community. Growing up, I heard horror stories about what they escaped from over in Europe. But they had to hide their immigration status, for fear they'd be sent back. When the state of Israel was founded, I vowed to do what I could to help make it a safe haven. Like you Magneto, I did things others didn't approve of. And I had to contend with bleeding heart liberals like Charles Xavier.
Magneto: It is clear you wish an alliance. If so, do not insult Charles Xavier. Before I met him I was obsessed with vengeance. Not at nazies in general, but only those who had tortured me and my family. Charles convinced me that more was at stake than just my petty, if justified, revenge. It was about the survival of our people. It was only ever tactics that we disagreed over. My greatest regret was that we had to come to blows. I asked him once, if he ever feared that they would come for him, and his children. He responded that he felt great pity, for anyone who came to his school, looking for trouble. Charles was willing to do, unpleasant things, but he felt sympathy for his enemies.
Joe: He shouldn't. We have each seen it happen before, you twice. The second time wasn't as bad, only because people like you resisted. We need to be ready again. We remain in Antarctica, harming noone, and still they preach hatred of us to an eager audience. We should prepare.
Magneto: Agreed, and we will be ready. But if you wish to eat with me again, do not insult Charles Xavier.
