Where have I been? Well, it’s a bit complicated, you see? It involves me, the Skrull and Kree empires, and a ton of nunya. Nunya business! Lol! Seriously, though. Things have just been weird. Let’s just leave it with the fact that your loyal Symbifan always has been, and always will be, a total and complete nut. But I promise you that I will always be a constant with the Unspoken Decade. That is, until the day comes that I go to that giant comic shop in the sky. Good enough? Good. Now, enough with those…..um…..what do you call them? Ah! Feelings! And let’s get on with my comeback article. It involves the origin story of the morbidly strange mutant hero, codenamed: Maggott, from “X-Men” Volume 2, #76. And now, on with the show…..

Maggott sat in the attic of the famed X-Mansion. He was in hiding, not from an invading supervillain, but from a fairly common thing. He was hiding from a routine physical from the X-Men’s new, resident doctor, Dr. Cecilia Reyes. But why? Well, no-one had really bothered to search him out and ask. That was, until he was shocked to hear a gruff voice from above. He immediately knew it. Wolverine then dropped from the ceiling and lit up one of his trademark cigars. Stating that Storm hated when he smoked up here, he suggested that Maggott not only explain himself, but do so before she returned from her errands. Smiling, the younger mutant decided that it was time to reveal his secrets. He began…..(Wow! When Wolverine plays the part of concerned, fatherly figure, you’d best be spilling the beans! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment here!)

Maggott had grown up by the name of Japheth in the beautiful countryside of South Aftrica. Northwest Transvall to be specific. And though the area was glorious in its peaceful beauty, it wasn’t without its strife. European invaders made the area a living hell for the inhabitants on a nearly daily basis. Japheth lived in a small shack with his parents and four other siblings. And though things were extremely cramped, they were happy. For the most part that is. You see, Japheth was ill. No matter how much or what type of food he consumed, he just couldn’t keep it down. Though he was nearly twelve years old, he looked to be no more than a half of that. His father worked like a dog in the gold mines to pay for the special medicines and gruel needed to keep the poor child alive. Not to mention the rest of the family. Yes. Things were tough. But no-one complained. (Sob. Poor little bugger. Will someone get this little dude a Big Mac and some large fries?! Will someone please think of the children?! Sob!)

At least, that was how it appeared. One night, while everyone else was slumbering, Japheth awoke to the sound of soft prayers in the next room. It was his mother’s voice. She was crying as she spoke to God. She prayed that He would soon take young Japheth into his loving arms and spare not only him his enduring pain, but the rest of them their suffering as well. Japheth made a decision that very moment. He would no longer be a burden to his family. Taking what knowledge he could remember from watching his father, he took the pickup truck to the farthest desert until it ran out of gas. He then prepared to die. But what he couldn’t have known was that his younger brother, Daniel, had been sleeping in the back of the vehicle! Daniel asked no questions and never complained as the two of them tried to find water or help in the harsh desert. Japheth prayed for the life of his brother. That was when the devil himself seemed to answer his prayers! (Damn! No superhero had ever had an origin story this depressing in the history of superheroes. Batman? A damn cakewalk compared to Maggott!)

The man hovered there like a red and purple garbed nightmare! More than anything, Japheth thought that his eyes were what were truly terrifying. They seemed to look straight trough you. Like you were nothing. It was the X-Men’s oldest and greatest foe, Magneto, Master of Magnetism! Almost before either of the boys could react, Magneto helped Japheth lie down. He placed his gloved hands over the child’s stomach. Suddenly, the boy could feel no more pain within his stomach! It was simply gone! Maggott would find out later that Magneto had magnetically stopped his nerves from registering any pain! (You know, Maggie, I have a trick back. Just sayin’. Sigh. It’s back to the chiropractor for me.) Japheth suddenly shot to his feet as if he was compelled to. That’s when two, large slugs burst from inside the small boy’s stomach, sealing the skin that they had disturbed behind them! The two creatures crawled everywhere while Magneto stared on in rapt fascination. And all the while, Daniel hid behind the villain’s flowing cape, staring on in utter disbelief.

As Japheth rested, Magneto whispered words such as “superior”, “chosen”, and “mutant” in his ear. And when he awoke, the worms crawled back to him, leaving a stripped antelope carcass in their wake! That’s when Japheth noticed that not only was his skin now blue, but as these creatures fed, he felt not only better, but stronger! He caressed the creatures as they crawled all over him until Magneto moved the very earth beneath the two boys and carried them upon the dirt mound with his mighty power towards their home. But when the boys arrived, they found their shack in flames and their mother in hysterical tears! The people had revolted against the European invaders overnight, it seemed, and they had replied with mindless violence! His mother finally spoke. The other children were no more and their father had marched off to town for vengeance! Magneto knelt and asked Ja’s next move. He seemed keenly interested in the small boy’s reply. (Anyone else sensing a deal with the Devil is about to be struck? Just me? Yeah. I could just be gassy. I did eat some dairy and, little did you guys know, I’m lactose intolerant. It’s my yummy kryptonite.)

Magneto needed no verbal answer. The look of pure rage on the boy’s face was answer enough. They left Daniel with his mother while Magneto, carrying Japheth, flew towards the carnage in town! He spied his father immediately and the battle wasn’t going well. He was hopelessly outnumbered and close to falling! Magneto looked to the boy in his arms. Japheth yelled for the mutant to help his father. And help he did! The European men were hovered into the air immediately! Their organs burst and their very blood shot from their screaming forms as they all perished in horror and anguish! But the people were the most surprising thing. The rebelling forces actually cheered at this terrible scene! Magneto spoke that humanity were no more than animals and that mutants were their true masters. Mutants like he and Japheth. Japheth disagreed. He shouted that this didn’t have to happen this way. People didn’t have to die. Magneto merely answered as he hovered away to be careful. It’s because those arms that are raised to cheer him now, nut they could just as easily be throwing stones the next day at him. (That’s deep. Deep, deep words. Man, I’m really regretting that bowl of cereal. Ugh! Goodbye, cruel world.)

Japheth’s father took his small son in his arms and embraced him. And just as he did, the slugs decided that it was time to go home. They crawled back inside his belly. Hardly anyone noticed his cries of pain and terror as the worms settled back down inside Japheth. They were too busy celebrating after all. Wolverine’s cigar dropped from his mouth in present day. Maggott answered the unasked question for him. Yes. The worms were his digestive system given form! And whatever they ate, gave him strength! But did it still hurt when they were done? As they crawled back inside right now, the look on the mutant hero’s face was answer enough. Wolverine slowly placed a comforting hand on Maggott’s shuddering shoulder.

End.

Dedicated to the fans of the Unspoken Decade for being so patient with me. This one’s for all of you!