[[ DELETING FILE... ]]

Joseph watched as the computer erased his file from the database.

It was the right thing to do, after all. Nearly everything in that file was a lie. He wasn't a clone of Magneto. He wasn't created by Astra. No, he is Charles Lehnsherr, the son of an alternate reality Magneto and Rogue.

In a way, it did make sense. He was younger than Magneto after all. And Rogue... the way he treated Rogue, was it romantic? Or was it merely a child's instinct to want to help his mother?

Ever since he'd recovered from the battle with Deus in Antarctica, he'd been locked inside this room, reviewing his file over and over again. He knew sooner or later that he would have to confront Rogue.

He just wasn't sure when he'd be ready to.

The "Danger Room."

Or rather, a facsimile. Once, it was a simple training room for Warren Worthington when he was on hiatus from the team. It was basically a large, empty room with some automated attack drones. For an X-Man, it would be the equivalent of jogging.

That was then.

Now, the "Danger Room" has been enhanced by the mutant inventor, Forge. Equipped with holographic, Shi'ar technology, it's giving St. John Allerdyce quite a run for his money.

Also called Pyro, he is one of the latest additions to the team. Recently cured of the Legacy Virus, the Australian-born mutant joined them. Whether out of gratitude, a desire to turn his life around, or because of some ulterior motive, his motives for joining remain his own.

He twists in the air, slightly clenching his fists. When applying a certain amount of pressure to the switches attached to his gloves, the flame-thrower attached to his back unleashes a fiery stream. It's enough to take down one drone.

Unfortunately for Pyro, he cannot create fire. In actuality, his mutant ability is more telekinetic than pyrotechnic in nature. Pyro can control any existing flame, causing it to expand, shrink, or shape itself to his will. He demonstrates this by psychically turning the flames he created into two, fiery demons, who easily dispose of the remaining drones.

Removing the goggled, red mask from his face, he looks over his handiwork - and smiles. Maybe this hero stuff won't be so bad.

{{ "...utant gunned down in Massachusettes..." }}

*CLICK*

{{ "...nited Nations attacker presumed to be a mutant..." }}

*CLICK*

{{ "...eroes all over the world were working overtime..." }}

*CLICK*

{{ "...he Avengers were able to stop the earthquakes. As for what caused it, experts suspect that Roseanne was doing jumping jacks again..." }}

*CLICK*

"700 channels..."

*CLICK*

"And not a damn thing on any of them..."

Clarice sighed and switched off the TV.

"Ugh... daytime TV sucks."

She dropped the remote on the table and stood up for a stretch.

"I wonder if Pyro's still using the Danger Room..."

"As a matter o' fact... no."

Not expecting much, she casually turned her head to see who exactly was speaking to her. Her eyes grew wide when she saw it was an elderly man concealed by a cloak.

Battle instincts kicked in as she got into a battle stance.

"Who are you?!" she demanded. "How did you get past the defenses?"

The man slowly stepped forward, a grin on his face. He lifted the hood of his cloak to reveal black eyes with red pupils.

"Magic."

"Not good enough!" she exclaimed, executing a roundhouse kick.

The man brought up a staff and blocked her leg. Then, he swung it down, sweeping her. Once she landed, he placed the end of the staff on her chest, trapping her.

"Th' name's Witness," he stated. "An' I get th' impression yer not too big on hospitality."

"Let me up now..." Clarice warned.

"Or what, you'll teleport me into next week?" Witness asked. "Been there, done that."

"What are you talking about?"

"Good question," Witness replied, letting her up. She regained her composure and looked up.

He was gone.

"What the hell...?"

Gloved hands breezed across the keyboard. A holographic image appeared above the console.

{{ Designate: Lehnsherr, Erik/Sub-Designate: Magneto }}

That name seemed haunting. A cry from the past. A connection that would never be.

The gloved fingers struck other keys. Another image came up.

{{ Designate: LeBeau, Remy/Sub-Designate: Gambit }}

Would this, too, become a regret? Rogue wondered if the man she loved would ever return to her life. And if he would, when was he going to do it?

She entered a series of commands.

{{ BEGIN SEARCH FOR DESIGNATE: LEBEAU, REMY? }}

Rogue hesitated for a bit. Did she really want to interrupt his new life? He left because he felt he had to, who was she to question his actions?

*TSSS*

"I'm sorry," Joseph stated. "I didn't know anyone else was in here."

Rogue turned to face him, canceling the search.

"Joseph--no, don't worry, it's fine."

An awkward silence filled the gap between them.

"Can I ask what you were doing?" Joseph said.

"Oh, nothin'," Rogue replied. "Just brushin' up on some past history."

Joseph looked over her shoulder, at the monitor. The words, SEARCH CANCELLED flashed.

"So, what do I call ya?" Rogue asked. "Joseph or Charles?"

"I prefer Joseph - if you don't mind, of course. The name Charles seems alien to me."

"Yeah, ah see your point..."

More silence filled the air.

"Speaking of Charles... how is the Professor?"

Rogue's head snapped up at his comment. Then, it drifted back down to the ground.

"He--he died."

"...oh."

"I received a message from my cousin," Crystal stated.

"Mmmm."

"She says that Luna is doing fine, but she misses us."

"Mmmm."

"Maybe we should think about picking Luna up and bringing her here."

"Mmmm."

"Pietro, my hair's on fire."

"Mmmm."

"PIETRO!!"

"What?" Quicksilver asked, turning to face Crystal.

"Did you hear a word I just said?"

"I heard you practically destroy my eardrums when you shouted my name..."

"Is there a reason you've been ignoring me so much?"

"I've been busy."

"Too busy for your wife?"

"I need to work on these battle scenarios! As the leader of the X-Men, I have a responsibility to the team."

"As my husband, you also have a responsibility to ME!"

"Will you lower your voice?"

"This is beginning to get out of hand, Pietro. Does leading the X-Men mean more to you than I do?"

"Don't be ridiculous..."

"Then prove me wrong."

"Crystal, I love you..."

"But...?"

"But, I have to finish this up."

Crystal climbed out of bed and walked over to the closet. She pulled out a blanket and pillow and tossed it to her husband.

"OOOF!!" Pietro exclaimed in shock. "What are you doing?"

"Out," she stated. "Now."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me the first time, Pietro. If you want to be stubborn as all hell, you can do it from one of the guest rooms. Or better yet, the couch."

The Next Day.

"Call me crazy, but I thought that a leader was supposed t'be on time."

"Shut it, Creed," Warren snapped.

"An' why is it I gotta be all muzzled up, while limey here gets special treatment?" Sabretooth asked.

"Watch your mouth, mate," Pyro warned. "Or y' might wake up one day t' find it char-broiled."

"You ain't got th' guts."

"You wanna push me?"

"That's enough out of both of you," Rogue stated. "Quicksilver an--"

*FWOOSH*

"Everyone's here?" Pietro asked.

"All except Crystal," Joseph replied.

"Crystal's not awake yet?" Pietro asked.

"Umm... shouldn't we be asking you that?" Blink asked.

"Long story," Pietro replied. "I'll--"

*DING*

"--see who that is. The rest of you head down to the Danger Room."

Quicksilver opened the door, wearing an overcoat to cover his costume. A short, bald man was standing there.

"Can I help you?" Pietro asked.

"Yeah, someone here call for a cab?" the man asked.

"I think you're mistaken..." Pietro replied.

"Well, there is only ONE Worthington Estate, right?"

"As far as I know..."

"Then there's no mistake, bud."

"He's right."

Pietro turned around to see Crystal walking down the stairs, holding a suitcase.

"I called the cab."

"You?" Pietro asked. "But why?"

"I love you, Pietro," Crystal replied. "But, nothing's changed. For awhile, things were going all right. But then, the same old problems emerged. And now, we're right back where we started. Your family needs you, Pietro, but you're too busy playing hero to notice."

Her hand lightly touched his cheek.

"I tried to make it work, but this relationship is just too far gone," she continued. "I'm going to be with Luna. You know where to find us. I'm sorry, Pietro, but it just didn't wor--"

Pietro slapped her hand away, and turned his back towards his wife.

"Fine," he stated.

"If you don't give me a reason to stay, then I'm going."

He tightly closed his eyes, hanging his head slightly.

"Then go."

Crystal sighed and walked out the door. She closed it behind her.

He watched from the window as the cab pulled away, taking Crystal out of his life.

And for the first time in years, Pietro Maximoff, the son of Magneto, cried.

NEXT ISSUE: Archangel flys solo!!