Arclight stood out among the mutants, her androgynous features sharp and striking, neither distinctly male nor female. Her presence radiated a cold, unwavering confidence, and both of her hands could unleash seismic shockwaves, sending ripples of destructive force through the air and ground. Today, she was here on Magneto's orders, her every movement purposeful and precise.
Beside her was Callisto, a mutant with a style just as nonconformist. Her hair was cropped even shorter than most men's, styled in a dramatic, spiked fashion, and a silver stud gleamed from her lower lip. Unlike Arclight's wiry frame, Callisto's body was athletic and powerful, her curves accentuated by a fitted leather jacket that seemed ready to burst at the seams. Her abilities made her invaluable to Magneto's Brotherhood. Not only could she move with blinding speed, making her a formidable melee fighter, but she also possessed a unique power: she could sense the presence, power level, and even the specific abilities of all nearby mutants. She was a living radar, a detector who could instantly assess the battlefield and report back to Magneto.
These two were not here by chance. They had no personal stake in the Winter Soldier's fate, nor any ties to Hydra or S.H.I.E.L.D. But Magneto's word was law, and when he commanded, his followers obeyed without hesitation. Today, their mission was to retrieve the Winter Soldier and bring him back to Magneto's side.
Su Zhan, known to some as the King, stood calmly before them. He watched the two mutants with a mixture of curiosity and cool detachment. He understood Magneto's ambitions well. From the perspective of mutantkind, Magneto was a revolutionary, a hero fighting for the rights of his people against the oppressive registration act. But from another angle, he was a ruthless criminal, willing to do anything to achieve his goals. To Su Zhan, Magneto was an adversary, a man whose ambitions could not be ignored.
Arclight regarded Su Zhan with open arrogance, her lips curling into a mocking smile as she sized him up. She had heard the stories of his strength, of his ability to devour the powers of others, but she doubted their truth. Even if he could absorb powers, she reasoned, as long as she kept her distance, she would be safe.
Callisto, more measured and practical, spoke up. "We are only here to follow orders. Our mission is to save the Winter Soldier and bring him back. That's all."
Su Zhan's eyes narrowed, his voice calm but edged with warning. "Put him down, and I will let you both leave."
Arclight's smile widened, her confidence unshaken. "If you want him, come and take him yourself."
She stretched out her arms, and with a thunderous crack, a shockwave erupted from her hands. The ground trembled violently, gravel and debris flying in all directions. For a moment, the very air seemed to freeze, the force of her power shaking the earth itself.
But Su Zhan did not move. A shimmering wall of dark green energy materialized before him, absorbing the force of the attack. The ground at his feet remained untouched, the barrier unbroken.
Arclight's expression changed, her confidence faltering. She tried again, sending another shockwave crashing against the barrier, but the result was the same. Callisto, watching from the side, called out, "Don't be reckless. The mission comes first."
Arclight hesitated, then nodded. "You take him and go. I'll hold him here."
Callisto's eyes narrowed, but she obeyed. She grabbed the unconscious Winter Soldier, her body blurring into shadow as she vanished from sight, moving with supernatural speed.
Su Zhan watched her disappear but made no move to pursue. Instead, he turned his attention to Arclight, his gaze icy.
"I am curious," Su Zhan said quietly. "Who gave you the courage to stand against me?"
Arclight sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I have always heard how strong you are, even though you are not a mutant. Magneto wants you in the Brotherhood, but I want him to see that we are the strongest. He does not need you."
She punctuated her words by slamming her palms together, unleashing three shockwaves in rapid succession. Each wave was stronger than the last, but Su Zhan's barrier held firm, the green energy shimmering in the sunlight.
He shook his head, almost pitying her. "You really think you are special because of a little power? Without Magneto, you are just a pawn."
Arclight's frustration boiled over. "If you are so strong, why do you hide behind that shield? Fight me head-on!"
Su Zhan sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Killing you would only dirty my hands. You are the most foolish opponent I have seen."
With a flick of his wrist, Su Zhan summoned his power. Arclight's body jerked violently, her feet lifting off the ground as she was pulled toward him by an invisible force. She tried to activate her abilities, but her arms were pinned to her sides, immobilized by Su Zhan's telekinesis.
"This is your skill?" Su Zhan asked, his tone cold. "You think you can challenge me with this? Are you missing something in your head?"
Arclight glared at him, defiant to the end. "If you kill me, Magneto will never forgive you. He will hunt you down and avenge me."
"Foolish to the last," Su Zhan replied, shaking his head.
With a sudden twist of his wrist, Arclight's body went limp, her head dropping forward as consciousness fled. The street was silent, the only sound the distant wail of sirens.
Su Zhan released her, letting her crumple to the ground. He looked down at her with a mixture of disappointment and regret. She had courage, but it was wasted on arrogance and pride.
He turned away, his mind already moving to the next challenge. Magneto would not take this lightly. The game was far from over, and Su Zhan knew that the real battle was just beginning.