A Hope Reborn, A Past Reclaimed

• Writer - Scott Lobdell
• Penciler - Joe Madureird
• Penciler - Salvador Larroca
• Inker - Vince Russell
• Inker - Tim Townsend
• Lettering - Richard Starkings
• Lettering - Comicraft
• Colorist - Steve Buccellato
• Colorist - Team Bucce
• Editor in Chief - Bob Harras

Summary

  Warren's metal wings have shattered. Ozymandias finds him lying on the floor. He says he's a servant of Apocalypse, who deemed Warren worthy of survival, and Ozymandias now sees why. He says Warren's transformation (X-Factor 18) has just begun, and leaves. Warren is in agony, and his natural, feathered wings burst forth.

  The X-Men are in the Danger Room, recreating their battles with Magneto, to see how much Joseph remembers. He looks into the holographic projection of Magneto's face and sees the rage, but feels nothing himself. He wonders how the X-Men could trust him, after he tried to kill them so many times. They insist that no one is beyond redemption.

  Betsy enters the room by melting out of the shadows, a new power. She shows them the feather she found in Warren's loft (X-Men II:57).

  Warren finds himself drawn to a church in Brooklyn. In the confessional, a sick mutant tries to warn the priest.

  In San Diego, Jameson listens to Graydon's speech, realizing he's using fear tactics to get elected. Bobby and Sam are undercover on Graydon's staff, and Alverez is the volunteer coordinator.

  The X-Men take Cerebro to find Warren; they arrive in Brooklyn and see the church on fire and Warren rescuing the priest. Betsy remarks on his wings; Logan smells Pyro inside just as a firebird erupts from the church. Joseph uses fencing to wrap up Pyro, but Logan boffs him, saying Pyro is dying of the Legacy Virus and can't control his power.

  Pyro babbles something about an assassination but gives no specific information, then an avalanche of earth engulfs and takes him away.

  The priest says Pyro is at peace, at least. Warren wonders is Apocalypse is manipulating him again.