Pietro let out a sigh. "Honestly, I care more about the future of mutants than who wins a game..."
Compared to Doctor Strange or the still-young Peter, Pietro felt a much deeper connection to the mutant cause. The sense of identity and empathy ran stronger in him.
Stephen gave him a thoughtful look and said gently, "The multiverse holds infinite possibilities. This quiz game has only made an already chaotic future even harder to grasp. Pietro, the more of the future we've seen, the more we should understand one thing: seize the present."
Pietro smiled. "You might consider switching to a career in therapy."
As their quiz session wrapped up, the light screen began playing the follow-up footage to the correct answer.
With Kitty injured and unable to continue the time-travel procedure with Logan, Erik and Iceman headed for the ruins of the old Xavier's School—which was now the Trask Research Facility—to rescue Rogue, also known as Anna Marie.
Meanwhile, back in the past, a younger Erik was taking action of his own. He had infiltrated the train transporting the prototype Sentinels, reshaping the steel rails into thin wire and threading it into the machines. What were once ultimate anti-mutant weapons were now turned into his personal puppets of steel.
But that alone wasn't enough. Erik had changed into a more inconspicuous outfit and snuck into a secret NSA facility, determined to reclaim something that was rightfully his.
By some strange twist of fate, the two Magnetos acted nearly in sync—separated only by decades of time.
Using classic movie montage, the video depicted both Eriks stealthily advancing through their missions. Even his enemies had to admit—Magneto exuded a unique charisma: forceful, ruthless, and seemingly unstoppable.
His version of stealth was nothing like Mystique's, who would shapeshift and sneak around disguised. Magneto walked into enemy territory like it was his own backyard, every step arrogant and unyielding. Any obstacle in his way? A simple flick of the wrist, and it was gone.
Back in 1973, Erik succeeded in retrieving his helmet—designed to block telepathy.
Sitting beside it were other mutant-related items: Angel's wings, Havok's combat gear, and more.
But in the future—2023—things didn't go as smoothly. Though they managed to rescue Rogue, Iceman was killed holding off the Sentinels during their escape.
Audiences finally witnessed just how terrifying the Sentinels had become.
The final versions were far superior to the prototypes. Gone were conventional firearms; now, they fired high-energy lasers from their heads and could even mimic the powers of other mutants.
"They've absorbed Darwin and Raven's abilities!"
Off-screen, Erik's expression turned grim.
Charles looked equally serious. "It's probably more than just them. The scariest part is that these robots can be mass-produced. No wonder mutants in the future are facing extinction."
Erik seized the moment. "So, Charles, are you still clinging to your ideals? Humanity needs guidance, but they'll never accept being led by mutants—especially not by someone like you, who can control their thoughts and minds.
To them, that's nothing but psychological manipulation! Trust me, Charles—once the public sees what's coming, your way will only make things worse. They'll fear and hate us even more."
Charles hesitated, then turned to Erik. "But we have more options now. The world is bigger than we ever imagined."
"Ha!" Erik laughed coldly. "So you plan to wander the multiverse like refugees? Not surprised. You've always been soft, Charles."
Charles's real intention was simple: strategic retreat. Even before this multiverse game began, he had reached out to the Multiverse Defenders for help—hoping their influence across dimensions could offer the mutant community a safe haven, somewhere to recover and regroup.
The Multiverse Defenders were still considering it—something like this wasn't easy to arrange—but odds were they'd agree. After all, the X-Men were a powerful group worth aligning with, and guiding those with supernatural abilities toward good aligned with the Alliance's mission.
But of course, Erik didn't agree with that strategy—or with retreating in the face of hardship. His instinct was to fight to the end.
In his eyes, the situation wasn't hopeless yet. With him and Charles working together, they could resist human oppression—maybe even turn the tide.
Still, the two didn't continue arguing. They turned their attention back to the screen.
Rogue had taken Kitty's place, using her powers to keep Wolverine's mind tethered in time.
The scene shifted again to 1973. Night had fallen, and Raven returned to Charles's mansion. She found Hank, intending to have a heart-to-heart talk. But in the end, Hank still couldn't accept the "beast" side of himself—leaving Raven disappointed. Their moment ended before it began.
What drew Raven to Erik in the first place was the dignity and pride he instilled in her as a mutant.
She wanted Hank to feel the same way. Sadly, he still rejected that part of himself.
Later, Raven snuck into Charles's Cerebro chamber—the real reason for her return. She didn't want Charles interfering in her plans anymore, so she smashed the control helmet.
Elsewhere, a disheartened Hank found Logan and asked him if he survived in the future.
The answer crushed him: he didn't.
Still, Hank didn't give up. He had gathered a trove of news reports and intel. He met with Charles and Logan to tell them about a major press conference happening at the White House tomorrow. The President and the dwarf scientist Trask would both be attending.
The three immediately suspected that Raven would target Washington for an assassination attempt.
As they discussed, Hank—still somewhat depressed—proposed a theory about time.
"In quantum physics," he said, "there's a concept that time is eternal. Like a river—you throw a rock into it, and there are ripples. But eventually, the surface calms again."
Hank wasn't sure this whole time-travel plan would work out in the end.
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