Apocalypse studied the four people standing in the center of the lobby. His gaze passed over Felicity, with her brown hair and brown eyes. Those eyes held psychic fluctuations far deeper than an ordinary person's.
Laura stood to her left, her hands at her sides and her fingers slightly curled, as though she were ready to spring her hidden metal claws at any moment. Rogue stood half a step behind Felicity, her long, light-brown hair falling over her shoulders.
Kingpin stood at the outer edge of the group, his massive body casting a broad shadow in the light that remained in the lobby.
Apocalypse's mouth slowly curved with interest. "Good. Let me see what you, this new god, are really made of."
The two of them then walked side by side into the Four Seasons Hotel lobby.
Sunset streamed through the skylight, and the chandeliers washed the hall in overlapping shades of amber.
Apocalypse's Four Horsemen stood quietly on the left, while Russell's four Mutant fighters stood on the right. About ten paces separated them, like two rows of pieces freshly placed on a chessboard, each waiting for the next move.
Apocalypse made the first move.
He planted his feet and gestured toward his Four Horsemen. Blazing white Mutant Force surged from his palm, split into four beams, and poured precisely into the War Knight, Famine Knight, Plague Knight, and Death Knight.
All four shuddered at once. Their bones crackled as their muscles swelled, reshaped themselves, and grew dense within the light. Silver energy patterns emerged across their skin.
White fire ignited along the War Knight's greatsword, while the Famine Knight's bowstring thrummed with a hum like a dragon's roar.
The Plague Knight's potion vials shattered amid green light and re-formed in more intricate shapes. From beneath the Death Knight's