"Blink and Storm?!"
When Fenric named the two, everyone froze in surprise.
Why choose two women?
It wasn't prejudice—far from it—but for such a critical mission, most would instinctively choose someone deemed "more reliable." Even Blink and Storm exchanged stunned glances, unable to understand Fenric's reasoning.
Yet, despite their doubts, no one dared to voice opposition.
"Ric, can't you bring Logan?" Professor X finally asked, carefully choosing his words.
He still held some confidence in Fenric, enough to at least suggest an alternative. Logan, after all, had that indomitable spirit—unyielding even in the face of death. To Charles, he seemed the ideal choice.
"No."
Fenric's refusal came without hesitation, shutting the matter down before it could go further.
Professor X opened his mouth, half-ready to argue—but in the end, he sighed and remained silent.
More than an hour later—
"All set, brother!" Skynet announced proudly.
On the platform, a strange contraption had taken form.
The machine was crude in design, its exposed cables and framework hardly inspiring confidence.
Wolverine frowned. "That's it? Doesn't look safe."
Skynet snapped back immediately, brimming with pride. "Of course it's safe!"
And she wasn't wrong—if there was an expert on time replacement devices, it was her. In her own world, she had sent countless Terminators back in time to hunt John Connor.
"Good. No more stalling," Fenric cut in firmly. "Let's begin."
"Skynet, explain the precautions."
"On it, brother."
Skynet turned to Blink and Storm. "To travel through the time replacement device, you cannot carry any foreign material. That includes fibers, cloth, or anything else on your body."
Both women froze.
Blink frowned. "What do you mean exactly?"
"Simply put," Skynet replied flatly, "you can't wear clothes."
A heavy silence followed.
Both Blink and Storm stiffened, their faces heating in embarrassment.
Storm managed to stammer, "And if we did wear clothes?"
"Then you wouldn't make it," Skynet said without a trace of hesitation. "The quantum field would tear your body apart. Best case—you survive by sheer luck and end up lost in the timestream, appearing in some unknown era. Worst case—you die instantly."
Blink paled. "That dangerous?"
Skynet tilted her head. "Any further questions?"
The two exchanged looks, but neither spoke.
"Then prepare yourselves. You'll depart with my brother shortly," Skynet declared.
"Wait—your brother? You mean… Fenric?" Blink suddenly blurted.
Skynet blinked. "Do I have another brother?"
Storm: "…"
Blink: "…"
And in that instant, the truth became clear to everyone.
Fenric wasn't just sending them back—he was going with them.
The room fell into uneasy silence, expressions shifting into something between awe and disbelief.
"Ric," Professor X finally asked, "are you… truly planning to return to the past?"
Fenric nodded.
"Then… may I ask—your purpose?" Charles pressed cautiously.
"To stop the Sentinels' creation," Fenric said, his tone unreadable. "If these two fail, I'll intervene directly—by force, if necessary."
"That…" Professor X faltered.
Force meant bloodshed. He believed Fenric was capable of it—but the thought of mass slaughter gnawed at him.
Sensing his hesitation, Magneto interjected sharply. "I support Fenric. Charles, are you truly willing to watch our kind be exterminated?"
His tone was cold, uncompromising. Unlike Charles, Magneto harbored no illusions about humanity's mercy. He had always been radical, even willing to eradicate mankind if necessary.
Charles sighed, falling silent. He could not ignore the survival of his people.
Preparations began.
When Blink and Storm finally appeared beside Fenric, stripped of all but their courage, their faces flushed scarlet.
Storm managed better—her Western upbringing gave her a freer outlook on such matters. Blink, however, struggled with deep embarrassment, her conservative background leaving her unable to hide her discomfort.
Still, Fenric's own presence tempered the tension. His physique was sculpted like a war god's, exuding strength and grace. For the women, at least, that softened the sting of shame.
As for Fenric, he couldn't help letting his eyes linger. Storm's figure was impressive. Blink, on the other hand… her delicate features reminded him strongly of a certain celebrity from another life.
Suppressing a faint smirk, he joined them at the device.
The three stood ready. The rest wisely averted their gazes—no one wished to stare at a naked departure.
"The coordinates are set for 1973. Lock confirmed!" Skynet reported. "Brother, when ready, activate the switch with your power."
Fenric nodded. With a thought, he stored Skynet safely into his personal dimension.
"What the—?!" Blink gasped as Skynet vanished instantly before their eyes.
"Where did she go?!"
"You'll see her again whenever you wish," Fenric said simply. Then, with a flicker of psychic force, he pressed the activation key.
"Om—"
The machine roared to life. Arcs of electricity danced wildly, forming a cage of light around Fenric, Blink, and Storm.
Moments later—
They were gone.
—---
1973 — Thermal Power Station
Night draped the facility in silence. Workers had long since gone home; only a few guards patrolled the grounds.
Suddenly, the air rippled with unnatural force.
The wind howled. Electric arcs snapped into existence, writhing like serpents across the platform. Space twisted violently as a wormhole tore open—
And three figures were hurled into the past, bare and unarmed.