In the last issue of The Daily Bugle, I gave you the first part of my encounter with the leader of the Brotherhood, Magneto. Here is the conclusion.

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Are you aware of how many innocent children you killed in Van Wyck?

Twenty-four, wasn't it?

Yes.

What of it?

You aren't sorry that you killed children?

Of course I am, but are you aware of how many mutant children have been killed as a result of hatred and prejudice? I count sixty-three incidents, and those are only the ones that I've been made aware of. That might not seem like much to you, but to a relatively new species it is catastrophic.

Sir, you're justifying what happened by giving me a higher body count. It sounds like revenge to me.

Not at all; there is a significant difference. Revenge happens for no other purpose than to satisfy the victim of a crime or the victim's loved ones. What I'm doing isn't to take revenge for those children who have already died. I am trying to take measures to prevent any more of my people from becoming victims.

So, you're hoping that if you do something violent enough or kill enough people, you'll get our attention and we'll stop hating your people?

No. Hatred will exist for a long time. It's an unfortunate trait we have inherited from our ancestors. I'm merely trying to stop the violence against my own people.

With your own brand of violence?

Isn't that what war is? A competition between two peoples to see who can be the most cruel? Don't think I haven't entertained other ways of settling the differences between our people, but the fact of the matter is, war is the language your people understand best. It's the most effective way to keep your people from destroying my people's right to live freely in any way they choose. Isn't your own government waging a war with a country to protect the American way of life?

Yes, but not all of us agree with that.

Nor do mutants. Even I see what I am doing as a necessary evil, but I will continue to do it until those in charge meet my demands.

And what demands are those?

Hand over control to my people.

That's quite a lofty goal, don't you think?

We can afford nothing less. Humans are destroying the planet as we speak. Earth's surface continues to warm, natural phenomena and wildlife are still raped and pillaged with no regard for the future. If we don't seize control over every aspect of this world, we won't have one to live on in fifty years.

And you think mutants can do better?

Yes. Mutants are generally more intelligent and have a better vision for the future. Many have the ability to produce unlimited clean energy. Did you know that there is a near limitless supply of seaweed in the ocean? Enough to feed the world time and again? Did you also know that I have three people in my service that have the ability to convert organic material like seaweed into a substance that is nutritional for humans as well as pleasant to eat? Creating a limitless supply of clean energy... solving world hunger... applying limitless intellect to solving large problems much quicker than your scientists... this is why I want my people to lead everyone into a much better world for all living creatures.

Wow... I have to admit... that sounds pretty good, but what happens to humans in this new world you have in mind? Are we going to be second class citizens? Livestock?

No... you'll be treated with the same respect and dignity that any sentient creature deserves. I just want you to realize that the only way for anyone to have a future is for homo superior to take control.

I'm sure you'll understand if some of us humans aren't quite ready to give up on our own kind.

Mr. Urich, do you follow sports at all?

Yes sir. I try to keep up with football when I can.

Who do you think will win the superbowl this year?

It's still a little early to tell, but if I put any money on it, I'd say the Packers.

Don't you see your own hypocrisy? You constantly participate in activities that have different groups competing against each other and you richly reward those who do the best. The process is a year's worth of training, weeding out the weaker, and competing for the best spot. Why can't you follow the same set of principals in reality where it actually matters?

Interesting point sir. So you're saying that you've declared war on humanity for all of our sakes?

Mutantkind is my foremost concern, but I believe my people have a duty to look after all living things.

And to what lengths are you willing to see this through?

Whatever it takes. The Japanese forced the American's to drop two atomic bombs on cities, killing countless so-called 'innocent' people. My only question is, has humanity evolved since then?

So why not just save yourself the headache and wipe us all out?

Because genocide doesn't interest me. Providing a future does. Make no mistake, if I wanted to wipe you out, it wouldn't take very much effort. The fact that I haven't yet should speak volumes of my character, yet I'm still regarded as a terrorist, a monster, and a murderer.

Was that actually you on Liberty Island when those three deaths occured?

Yes it was, but I don't have anything to say regarding that matter.

(Magneto addresses one of my kidnappers)

I believe I am done here. I only have this to say. I am not the monster those in charge would have you believe. I am merely fighting for a future for my people. Humanity has forced my hand and will continue to reap the consequences of its stubbornness. If you want to help your people, choose to no longer support those in leadership, for they are leading you to your ruin.

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After his statement, Magneto gave his Brotherhood members a nod. The last thing I saw as a blindfold was placed over my eyes was the terrorist leader turning his back on me. As I was carried down to the truck, thankfully conscious this time, I tried to make conversation with my attackers. I wanted to know what went on in the heads of members of the Brotherhood. Did they follow Magneto for different reasons? After speaking with the man, I got the feeling this was less like a crazy religious group and more of a legitimate threat than many seem to believe. Especially after receiving some of the answers I got. “Why do you feel it's okay to ask people questions they may not want to answer? I won't do anything Magneto asks of me, only things I don't have too much of a problem with,” said one of my attackers, clearly swayed by her own convictions.

The other Brotherhood member had this to say when asked how willing he was to do whatever Magneto asked of him, "It ain't like that. Y'all make it sound like he's some kind of hippy-dippy New Age cult guy, and we're drinking his Kool-Aid. He ain't. He's a general and we're his army. Y'all don't ask Private First Class Buttlick if he feels it is necessary to follow the orders of, uh, whatsisface....Petraeus!"

The fact is, these people are very real and believe whole-heartedly in what they are doing, and while I still disagree with their methods, Magneto brings up several good points in his line of thought, which makes this reporter wonder – in humanity's hatred toward the new growing species, have we helped create one of our own worst nightmares?

We at the Daily Bugle have received an anonymous tip that Warren Worthington III has been kidnapped. It’s unknown why or who has done this, there have been no ransom demands of any sort. This reporter went to Cyclops of the X-Men, Havok and a few other companions of X-Factor, and Mrs. Jean Grey-Summers from X-Corp.

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Cyclops I hope you don't mind if I move straight to the point. I got word that Warren Worthington has been kidnapped and wondered if you could comment sir?

Cyclops: Mr. Ellis, the X-Men are aware of the situation and we can assure the friends and family of Mr. Worthington that we are doing everything in our power to get him back safely.

Do you have any leads?

That information is classified, Sir, but suffice it to say, we are not going into this investigation blindly.

Well I hope you find him quickly and safely.

A message to the one who has Mr. Worthington... We will find you, and we will bring you to justice. That isn't a threat. It's a certainty.

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Thank you for seeing me on such short notice Havok.

Havok: Of course, Mr. Ellis

I'm going to be forward and honest with you sir, we at the Daily Bugle received word that Warren Worthington has been kidnapped and we were wondering if you could comment on the matter.

We're working with the members of the X-Men as extra support on this. Did you talk to Cyclops? He's really sort of the power behind this mission.

I have already spoken to him. But we were wondering if we could get more detail on the matter.

Well, if Cyke isn't going to tell you much more, I'd probably get torn a new one if I revealed anything. Let me say though that Mr. Worthington's kidnappers are suspected to have a second victim, a woman known to X-Factor. We want her back, and we're going to get her back alive.

There's a second victim kidnapped?

We believe she was taken as bait for Mr. Worthington, but there might be more to it. I'm not really prepared to say more without Cyclops's a-ok.

Well thank you Havok I may have to go back to see about getting information about this second victim. Good luck in finding both of them sir.

Thanks, but it’s the luck of the kidnapper that has run out. X-Factor and the X-Men are on the case. There will be hell to pay when we find the one who did it.

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Mrs. Grey-Summers thank you for speaking with me.

Jean Grey-Summers: *sounds vaguely distracted* You're welcome, Mr. Ellis. What can I do for you?

*pause for thought* It's a tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mr. Worthington's family and friends. We hope for his safe and speedy return. Warren is a kind and generous person, who founded X-Corp to reach out and help people in their time of need. Now, it's Warren who needs help. We urge anyone with information about this crime to contact the police.

So X-Corp has no leads?

None that I am aware of. No ransom demand has come to me. I can not imagine anyone having a personal grudge against Warren; he's an honest and honorable man. No one would have a reason to harm him. The only reason I can think of is for his money... or the perpetrator is deranged and such people need little cause or reason for their actions.

Mrs. Grey-Summers... there's also new information that's lead me to believe there is a second victim. Do you know anything about that?

I haven't been given many details about the situation, only those that pertain to Mr. Worthington. If Warren isn't the only victim of this crime, then we hope for their safe return as well.

It's said that X-Factor works closely with X-Corp. I've been told that this second victim is known by X-Factor. Is it anyone from your staff? Or could it possibly be a member from X-Factor itself?

X-Corp and X-Factor do occasionally work together for the benefit of Mutant Town, but they don't answer to me.

Well Mrs. Grey-Summers thank you for your time. And as I've said to Cyclops and Havok we at the Daily Bugle hope for the safe return of Mr. Worthington and this second victim.

Thank you, Mr. Ellis, we all pray for that as well.

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This next interview was to a brother and sister. Names weren’t named.

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Excuse me ma'am. Can I talk to you for a moment? Do you work within X-Factor? You don't have to give me your real name if you do.

The Lady in Red: *turns wide eyes on the stranger* I live there *points to building* It is our calling to make Mutant Town safe.

So you know what's goes on in there right?

Yes... *she looks at him closely* I live there. *speaking slowly for the benefit of the dull witted*

Do you know anything about Warren Worthington's kidnapping? Or this second victim?

Yes... but you have no need to worry... My magic will - *A silver haired man arrives*

The Silver Haired Man: Who are you?

The Lady: He is a stranger who seeks answers.

The Man: Answers to what?

The Lady: If I lived here. He wants to know about me.

The Man: *steps close to the stranger* What business is it of yours? Are you in need of X-Factor's assistance? If so, go inside and talk to our leader.


I'm Ken Ellis a reporter from the Daily Bugle. I'm trying to get information on the kidnappings of Warren Worthington and a second victim.


The Man: Have you spoken to Havok?


The Lady: *looks sad* but they were not taken from here. *whispers to him* He is a little slow. Perhaps we should take him... so he does not get lost.

The Man: Peace, beloved

I have, that's where I got the information about the second victim.

The Man: Then, what do you expect from my sister and I?

A name, a codename, any information about the second victim.

The Man: If Havok did not give it to you, why would you expect his subordinates to? Is it common in America for soldiers to reveal what their generals would not?

The Lady: I am not sub-thing....

The Man: It means only that Havok is our leader, darling

The Lady: Oh... Yes, he is very good, even if he is sometimes silly. He is much more clever than he looks.

The Man: He would have to be.

The thing is your leader won't give me anything else without it being okay-ed by Cyclops. And he won't give me a second interview. This girl, this second victim, no one knows about her but if someone has any information and reads it in the paper it could help in finding them both.

The Lady: She is probably being tied up... Anyone who sees someone tied up should tell people.

The Man: Ah, well, then, I would suggest you forget this matter. If you have spoken to Cyclops, you must have realized that the man does not take lightly to questioning his orders. If his ways did not get results, I would see no harm in disobeying. However, his plans usually work. For the sake of Worthington and the other who was taken, it would be best for all of us to do as the commander of the X-Men says. Come along, my sister, I think Mr. Ellis will be leaving us now.

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Regrettably this reporter was unable to retain any further information on this second victim. With no information about the kidnappings or the second victim. We at the Daily Bugle hope that both are found quickly and safely.

Latveria – It's a place largely shrouded in mystery due to the relationship between the country's government and those of its neighboring countries. The exact population is unknown because it hasn't allowed an outside census in the past two decades, but experts estimate that the population is somewhere around the number of five hundred thousand – a population largely composed of people from Romanian and eastern European descent. It is governed by Victor Von Doom in what is considered an enforced monarchy.

Last week, SHIELD and NATO surveillance reported a large explosion coming from Doomstadt, the nation's capital. Attempts at contacting SHIELD for more information have been unsuccessful thus far, but sources at NATO say that no missiles were fired from any countries surrounding it nor were there any enemy aircraft in the vicinity during the time of the explosion. General William Adams stated in an official report by the Pentagon that there was nuclear fallout from the blast and that it was likely a smaller device with a localized payload delivered by hand.

Efforts to contact the antisocial country by relief and aid organizations have so far gone unanswered, but a recent statement by the Secretary of Defense said that Victor Von Doom has personally requested a meeting with the President. When it's scheduled or the specific reason behind the ruler of Latveria's visit has yet to be determined.

“Regardless of the fact that it's a small country, Latveria is powerful and a potential ally and America will do everything in its power to help its people.” Unfortunately, the majority of America's previous – if any – interaction with the small country remains classified.

Months ago, a 7 year old boy's body was found in a python's cage at a local terrarium. The boy, identified after the incident as Fredrick Johnson, was witnessed via security cameras to be breaking into numerous other cages and grabbing the reptiles within them. The boy was seen transporting at least 13 individual reptiles into a saltwater crocodile's (11 feet) exhibit. Each of the 13 reptiles were devoured by the crocodile, named Terry, resulting in numerous damages to the reptilian exhibit. Several of these reptiles were on the endangered species list and their deaths reportedly killed two mating pairs of an endangered lizard. Despite this tragedy of these endangered species being senselessly killed, the case of the boy's death took priority.

The security cameras revealed that the murderer was not human. Just before the camera's destruction, the blurred and disfigured veil of a hand reached up. CSI were able to focus and adjust the image into something visible, yet terrifying.



What do you see? Studies done by scientist have produced results. Photographical evidence points to one thing: a mutant. The reptilian features you see appear to be on a hand -- a human hand. A thin armor of scales sheaths the muscles of the palm, extending up towards a series of unseen fingers. What is seen, however, is the prehensile thumb of the creature. Muscles and contours of the creature had fallen only to that single decision of a mutant. Which takes us to the second part of the article:

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN DEFEATS THE REPTILIAN KILLER, SAVES COUPLE

In a bout of amazing prowess on New York's spectacular Spider-Man part, the red and blue vigilante crusader was witnessed battling a large foe, identified now as Lizard. The mutant was described by a couple as "eight feet tall, covered in thick green scales, thick, long arms ending in strong hands with razor-like claws. He had a long tail extending from the base of his spine and his face was completely lizard-like, fangs and all. He walked on two legs like a human and wore purple pants and a lab-like coat."

The couple, Jenny and James Harbor, were walking through Central Park before closing when the monster came out of a lake and attacked them. But before the terrible mutant could strike them, a red and blue blue fell from the sky and knocked him away. An enraged battle commenced, the brute physicallity of the Lizard breaking trees, leaving deep scratches in the concrete. The battle was said to move on into the city, where both combatants were witnessed by further people that night as Spider-Man chased the monster up over buildings. Damages climbed, debris fell, roars shook buildings as the Lizard was chased away.

Chasing the monster down into sewers, Spider-Man ceased his advances on the monstrous foe. Before the anyone could ask the mysterious vigilante any questions, Spider-Man took to the city skies again.

When the Harbor couple were asked about what had happened, they only had one thing to say:

New York- Edgar Flumm, 54, was found dead in his hotel room on Tuesday, police report. No foul play is suspected. According to sources familiar with the investigation, Flumm was killed when a pipe in his hotel room’s shower burst, causing him to be electrocuted by his own cell phone battery.
Dr. Nicodemus West, the attending pathologist at New York Mercy where Flumm was taken after the accident, says that the shock caused Flumm’s heart to enter cardiac arrest. Flumm had received a coronary bypass two years ago after a heart attack. “The stress to the heart was, frankly, too much for the patient,” said West.

Flumm, a Bronx native, was a graduate of the Staten Island College of the City University of New York in 1976. Flumm was a staff photographer with the New York post from 1979 to 1983. He worked as a private photographer from 1983 to 1987 in Princeton, New Jersey. He was a sports photographer for the Daily Bugle from 1987 to 1998. He won the New America Award for Photojournalism in 1994 for his photo essay of New Yorkers celebrating the New York Rangers winning the Stanley Cup. In 1998, Flumm moved to Chicago and was a freelance photographer. His pictures of Hyde Park during the President-elect’s victory speech were published in TIME, the Boston Globe and La Razon.

Flumm was in New York on a business trip. He had a meeting scheduled with Daily Bugle staff reporter Ken Ellis. According to Ellis, Flumm was excited about the meeting. “Edgar said he had to show me something in person and wouldn't tell me what it was,” Ellis fumed, “ Whatever it was he emphasised that it was big. And it could change the face of Washington in a very short order”

The owner of the New World Hotel has claimed that the house-cleaning found nothing of interest in Flumm’s rule. He declined to comment further.
(Written by BP)

Aries March 21-April 19
You will find true love by stepping out of your comfort zone. Trust me, Wear a cowboy hat to the office on Tuesday.

Taurus April 20-May 20th
You will find yourself to be an unexplainably good didgeridoo player. This isn’t a skill to advertise.

Gemini May 21-June 21
Unfortunately, your mother will arrive for an unexpected weeklong visit just as you were going to get lucky.

Cancer June 22-July 22
You will tell yourself “This time will be different,” but you’ll find that your next stint as an Iranian embassy hostage is about the same as the last.

Leo July 23-Augst 22
This Tuesday, you will see a desperate person in a cowboy hat. Mock them, they deserve it.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Your moon is rising. You might want to see a tailor about that. Nobody needs to see your Pisces.

Libra September 23-October 23
This will be, finally, the week that you catch them all.

Scorpio October 23-Novemeber 21
You’ll want to purchase about 3 months worth of canned food and bottled water, some blankets and matches, and a first aid kit. Go upstate and find a nice secluded cabin. Bring any weapon you can. Then, it’s just a waiting game for the zombies.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
You’ll see your shadow today. 6 more weeks of winter!

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Even though you’ve watched the tape several times, Samara won’t come out of your television screen. It may be time for a new fetish there, chief.

Aquarius January 20-Febuary 18
A stranger in a van will promise you candy. He seems like a good dude. See what he’s got.

Pisces Febuary 19-March 20th
You will find out your lucky number. Unfortunately for you, it’s pi/6

If your birthday is today: You should totally have an ice cream cake.

Lucky numbers this week: 2, 3,5,7,11

Julie Dior, 24, died early this afternoon in a swimming pool. The coroner believes it was an embolism that popped in her head during mid-backstroke. The wake will be this Sunday.

Jennifer Tolland was found dead yesterday at the harbor. Police officials are not relishing any more information at this time.

An Elvis impersonator, name and age unknown, died of a heart attack.

A stuntman by the name of Mike died in a car crash; he is survived by a wife and child.

OBITUARIES CONTINUED

In a continuing investigation of who is now dubbed the Coyote Killer, another body was found stamped with the ACME. The body, presumably belonging a kidnapped victim Taylor Grags, was found squashed against a rock painted with brick and black, reportedly appearing like an ongoing tunnel. Evidence of this mid-west murder lead investigators back to the Grand Canyon just as the Coyote Killer leapt off the edge, leaving behind a blank sign and a pen. Apparently, he did not have time to write anything.

Brad Needly, regarded as a god amongst his internet fans, died today after a man who claimed to be the real Baby Cakes rolled 10s and 20s and struck the cartoonist through the heart with his fist. The Professor Brothers commented "That fucker had like... 30 god damn dicks."

PETA members Francisco and Ginger Franklin died after a severe bucket accident today when they were trying to rescue a walrus at a local zoo. The walrus, reportedly, had learned to say "bukkitz". Assuming the walrus wanted the bucket, Francisco and Ginger offered the large mammal the bucket full of fish and the hungry creature crushed them with his blubbery mass.

Another spokesman of the infamous band Dethklok sends his regards to the families and friends of the 2,000 people who died at their most recent concert in Iceland. The weight of 2,000 people on a complex and poorly constructed raft caused the structure to buckle and break, sending 2,000 people into the seas below during the song "Into The Water". When asked about the incident, Nathan Explosion stated "A country with Ice in its name and so little ice -- that's brutal."

What is this? Another riot in Mutant Town? Is this the second or third in the past few months? What was the city thinking, actually letting a bunch of freaks band together and start themselves their own little Chinatown right there? Isn't that a little irresponsible of them? I know we have places like Little Russia and that its every American's right to set up a place where they can openly display their heritage, but Harlem isn't going to risk nuking half the state when things get hairy like they did a few weeks ago. The state wouldn't let anyone build an unstable nuclear power plant in the middle of downtown Manhattan, would they? How is this any different?

Anonymous

The difference is, reader, that a nuclear power plant isn't a place where a bunch of American citizens live and Mutant Town is. I get that you're trying to use the metaphor to show how risky a place like Mutant Town is, but the fact of the matter – as you already stated – is that people have the right to move and live wherever they want as long as they own the property. Until some laws change, there's not a whole lot they can do. That's why there is a bill being debated in congress about chipping all mutants and nullifying their abilities temporarily, so that mutants can enjoy all the freedoms we have without being feared that someone is going to kill us all.

J Jonah Jameson
Editor in Chief

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Mr. Jameson

Are you out of your mind? Why are you giving free press to terrorist scum like Magneto? If he gets his message out, that could cause the rest of those genefreaks to follow him. Don't you you have a sense of decency? Next time that nutball attacks humanity, I'm blaming you. You can cancel my subscription

-Harvey Johnson III.

Harvey, since you canceled your subscription, you may not be reading this, but this is for anyone else out there who feels the same way. Fact of the matter is that Magneto has gotten tons of press. Every time he blows up a building or murders a lot of people, he makes the front page or close to it; a couple more headlines aren't going to change anything. Anyone who would have sided with Magneto in this article has already signed up with the guy, we're not running a recruitment campaign for him. Besides, our job is to give the people information, and we do a damn good job of it; one of our reporters was kidnapped so that you'd be informed. That's how dedicated we are.

J Jonah Jameson
Editor in Chief

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Dear Mr. Jameson

I just wanted to say that I'm really impressed with the fact that someone's moved into Mutant Town and set up an orphanage designed specifically for mutants. I, as the mother of an eight year-old mutant girl know exactly how hard it can be for children who are born with physical mutations and don't even have the luxury of being 'normal' until puberty, and I am glad someone has had the foresight to put these little blessings in a place where they will be much more likely to find a home and be accepted in the community.

-Dorothy Toto

It's a pretty good move, putting the children in an area largely populated by mutants. You'd be surprised at how many infanticides actually occur specifically because the victim looked different. In a place like Mutant Town, it's a lot less likely that they'll see that kind of hate. I suggest you take your daughter by the orphanage and let her get to know some of the kids. I'm sure she and they could use another friend.

J Jonah Jameson
Editor in Chief

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To the Editor

What the heck was that? Someone actually made off with that giant dinosaur skeleton in the museum? Who could actually get away with stealing something that big without leaving a load of witnesses? Has this city gotten so bad that people can actually pull off robberies like that without having a run-in with the police? I really can't wait to move out of New York.

Anonymous

Reader, you should have seen my face when this news came across my desk, and what's worse is that no one's called in with information since the article came out. Honestly, it's this kind of rampant apathy in New York that actually makes gives people excuses to run around the city dressed in ridiculous costumes and practice vigilantism. If we had more citizens at least willing to make a phone call, we wouldn't have to put up with so much of this crap.

J Jonah Jameson
Editor in Chief

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Mr. Jameson,

I have read many of your articles, and I have to say, I am impressed. It is interesting to see a news reel that is more interested in reporting the facts rather than dwelling on the sorrows. I don’t get out of the house much, but I wanted to ask you about your previous opinion on Mutant Registration. Won’t that simply cause more conflict? For all the people who hate mutants, it would be like painting a bulls-eye on the mutant's forehead… not to mention all the privacy issues. Granted, something needs to be done, but why can’t the government figure something out that doesn’t require complete segregation? The only thing they have done so far has been the Sentinels, and we all know how that went.

Most sincerely,

Clarice

Frankly, I agree with you on the Sentinels. While the idea is good on paper, it's too early in the game to actually apply them practically. Registration itself though... while there are definitely some points of debate, can you seriously tell me that there's been a better solution presented to the community? You say that it would paint targets on the heads of mutants, but lets be honest, mutants are already targeted profusely. Don't you think that it would be helpful in protecting mutants from harm to have them registered as well as keep an eye on the ones that are dangers to everyone? After all, law enforcement can't protect what's hidden from them.

J Jonah Jameson
Editor in Chief