Disclaimer:  No named characters, organizations, or
planets belong to me, and I am using them without
permission.  I am making no profit from this story,
which is a What If set in the Rising Sun universe -
previous reading of any or all stories set in this
universe is unnecessary.  Warning - one naughty word,
and a smidge of violence.

Final Allegiance
By Dyce


"Today is a glorious day."

Magneto speaks, and the world watches and listens in
fear.

"Today, mutants everywhere are free at last."

Magneto speaks of freedom, as he holds the world
hostage. 

"Today, we throw off the shackles of human slavery,
and step out into the light of a new day."

Magneto speaks of a new dawn, and the world waits for
the end.

"At last mutants are united as one against humanity,
as always should have been."

Magneto speaks for his race, and the world believes
him.

"Shut the fuck up."

Someone else is speaking.  The world watches in
surprise.

A young girl in a tattered red costume stands
toe-to-toe with the Mutant Messiah.  She looks small
and thin and ultimately helpless, her clenched fists a
puny match for the Master of Magnetism.  She cannot
win.

But her back is straight and her head high.

The world watches with interest.

"You got something to say?  Speak for yourself.  But
don't you ever speak for me, Magneto.  This mutant
ain't uniting with you against humanity now or ever,
got it?"  There is anger in her voice, and fear too.  

Magneto frowns.  "But we have won-"

"Speak for yourself!  We haven't won, YOU HAVE!"  She
shouts, her body tensing, repudiating the older man
with every fibre of her being. Denying him.  Rejecting
him.

The world watches in shock.  

"I'm warning you, Magneto, stop."  The other heroes
have fallen.  She is alone.  Nevertheless, she is
defiant.  "I won't let you do this. I won't let you
enslave humanity."

Magneto's expression deepens to sadness.  "Jubilation.
 You cannot prevent me."

"Wanna make a bet on that?  Back off right now, or
X-Man or no X-Man I'll kill you where you stand."

The world watches, and feels a stirring of hope.

Magneto's voice is soft and coaxing.  "You  have lost
already, child, do not compound the folly of your
elders.  They would not kill.  Neither will you."

The girl snarls.  "Final warning, Magneto."

Magneto's head is high. "Humans are not our equals. 
Their time is past.  This world is ours by right."

The girl whispers.  "Magneto, please.  I *can't* let
you do this."

Magneto's expression is compassionate.  "What I do is
right, for all of us.  You, Jubilee… you have a child
of your own.  A son.  Do you not want what is best for
him?"

Her head droops.  "Yes."

"Do you not desire a future in which he will be free?"

She nods slowly.  "Yes."

"Would you not do anything to ensure that this is so? 
*Anything*?"

She looks up at him, anger fading to a quiet
determination.  "Yes."

A quick, decisive motion.  

Magneto's eyes are stunned.  "I… do not… understand…"

A long shard of glass pierces his chest.

The girl's hand still rests on it, her own fingers
bleeding.  There are tears in her eyes.  "I'm sorry,
Magneto."

Magneto gazes at her, his knees beginning to buckle. 
"But… your son…"

"Is human.  A simple, normal, ordinary human."

He slumps at her feet, the light already fading from
his eyes.

The girl looks down at him with pity, but no regret. 
"And you're right, Magneto."

"I would do anything for my son."

End

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